Trying to figure out how to keep cool during a heatwave? Even if you don’t have a/c these tips can help you stay cool during a summer heatwave.
Summers can be pretty hot here in Oklahoma and it can mean high electric bills. It also means more emissions from higher energy use. Oklahoma even experiences blackouts due to high energy use from time to time during hot summers.
Recently much of the country is dealing with a heatwave like this and many don’t even have air conditioning which can make the heatwave dangerous.
These tips help you reduce your energy use and stay cool, many will even help if you don’t have A/C. Be sure to share them with people dealing with the heatwave right now as well.
How to Stay Cool During a Heatwave
- Use an insulated bottle like the Klean Kanteen stainless steel insulated bottle. Fill it with ice water and stay hydrated.
- Take a cool bath or shower.
- Put cool rags on your wrists and the back of your neck.
- Keep blinds and curtains closed when the sun is shining in the window.
- Cook on the stovetop and in small kitchen appliances like a toaster oven or Instant Pot as much as possible. The oven gives off a lot of heat.
- Plant some shade trees. The more your home is shaded the cooler it will stay.
- Get an A/C tune-up to make sure it’s working correctly.
- Shade your A/C. Keeping your A/C cool will help it run more efficiently.
- Get your air ducts cleaned and checked.
- Install and use ceiling fans.
- Make and eat some homemade ice cream.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing.
- Use cotton sheets as they are breathable and will keep you cooler.
- Insulate your house, it will help you keep the cool air in.
- Seal up air leaks to prevent losing cool air.
- If a room has no vents and isn’t being used, close it to prevent cool air from going into those rooms.
- Skip the heat dry setting when running your dishwasher.
- Use a clothesline instead of your dryer.
- Use a small fan to cool yourself without having to cool the whole house.
Don’t forget to keep your pets cool as well. They can get heatstroke as well. Letting your pets lay on cool tile inside and with lots of fresh cool water can help.
Beware of Heat Stroke Symptoms
Be sure to check on elderly neighbors as they can have a harder time staying cool. And be sure to know the symptoms of heatstroke.
- High body temperature.
- Altered mental state or behavior.
- Increased sweating.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Flushed skin.
- Rapid breathing.
- Racing heart rate.
- Headache.
If you think a person may have heat stroke call 911 or get them to the ER immediately. You should also get them to shade or indoors, remove excess clothing, and cool them however you can sponges of cool water, cool rags, cool shower, ice packs, or anything you can while waiting for medical attention.
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Katie says
The summer when we were building a new home we lived in a rental with no ac. It got so crazy hot I used to soak my t shirt in cold water rhen put it on.
We also sprayed cold water on the bed sheets. That helped a lot.