Thursday Thirteen 205: Beat the Heat

Our area has been plagued by a heat wave the last several days, which is quite unusual for this time of year. Our normal temps for early June are mid-70s. Tuesday's temp set a new record high of 96F. In June! If, like me, you've been suffering from the heat, here are a few tips on how to cope with it.

1. Stay out of the sun, especially between 10am and 2pm, which is typically the hottest part of the day. If you do have to go out, wear sunscreen, hat and sunglasses and take it easy.

2. Stay hydrated. Water is best, but certain sports drinks and fruit juice are also good. Make sure it is 100 percent juice, though, not a juice "drink" like Sunny-D or a juice cocktail.

3. Avoid alcohol, tea and caffeine as they will dehydrate you.

4. Avoid heavy meals. Salads, fruits, cold soups and sandwiches are best for hot weather.

5. Lay in a supply of popsicles, freeze pops and juice bars for a refreshing treat. Frozen grapes and melon are also good.

6. Avoid outdoor physical activity. Trust me, the lawn and the garden can wait. If you really must tend to them, do so early in the morning or late evening. This is also when a gym membership or workout DVD comes in handy.

7. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows heat to evaporate.

8. Keep windows closed, and shades or curtains drawn during the day to block out the sun. It's even better if, like me, your windows are shaded by a few trees. Because I have eastern-facing windows, I leave my front blinds open overnight so my plants get a couple hours early morning sun, then close them before I leave for work. It truly does make a difference!

9. Turn lights off, or use fewer of them, to avoid heat build-up and to conserve energy. Also minimize use of energy-draining appliances (yes, even the TV!), and try to run larger ones such as dishwashers, washers, and dryers either early in the morning or later in the evening.

10. Use the air conditioner if you have it (and can afford it), fans if you don't. If the heat gets too unbearable, take yourself off to the library, mall, or movie theater for a while.

11. Check on elderly or disabled neighbors and family members to make sure they are okay. Sadly, there was an incident Wednesday in which an elderly man in Milwaukee died after sitting outside for more than three hours. His body core temp was over 101 degrees.

12. DO NOT leave children, the elderly or pets in an unattended vehicle for even five minutes. JUST DON'T! I cannot emphasize this enough. A local man learned this lesson the hard way Monday afternoon, when he was issued a $177 fine for leaving his dog in the car while he ran into a downtown business. The outside temp was 93F; the temp inside his car over 100F.

13. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and what you should do treat them. And yes, there is a difference. Both are forms of hyperthermia, but heat stroke is more severe and can be fatal if medical treatment is not sought immediately.

It's only natural to want to get outdoors once the temperature starts to warm up—especially after a long, cold winter—but please be aware of the weather conditions in your area and be safe while you are outside.




LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)
Maddy Barone * Alice Audrey * Adelle Laudan
Colleen * Brenda ND * Suzanna Medeiros
Xakara * CountryDew * Allstarme * Jana
Darla M Sands * Paige Tyler * Janice Seagraves
Skylar Kade * Forgetfulone * Harriet * Cara Boss
The Accidental Cooks * Rekaya Gibson