Ontario is starting to feel the scorching heat that is synonymous with summer. With the first official heat wave of the year for Southern Ontario, we thought it would be helpful to outline some tips for staying safe and beating the heat.
While Outside
•Drink plenty of cold fluids and stay hydrated! This seems like an obvious caveat, but it can be easy to get caught up in outdoor activities and forget to stay sufficiently hydrated.
•Apply sunscreen on areas that will likely be exposed to the sun. Sunburnt skin can reduce the body’s ability to cool itself.
•While out on walks with the dogs, keep them hydrated and keep the walks brief, remember if it’s too hot for you to be outside, then it’s too hot for them. A technique worth trying is to place the top of your hand on the pavement, if it is too hot to hold for longer than five seconds; it’s too hot for the dog’s sensitive paws.
While Inside
•Tilt blinds and shutters to deflect the powerful sun rays.
•Maintain your air conditioners properly to maximize their efficiency.
•Make sure interior doors are left open, to increase airflow.
•Invest in seasonal sheets, to help keep you cool at night.
•Use fans, both ceiling, and standing, to help circulate air and keep you feeling fresh.
•Employ bathroom exhaust fans to help evacuate hot air.
•Barbeque rather than running your stove for extended periods, it’s a great excuse to have dinner out on the patio!
•If the temperature cools down at night, open the windows as opposed to running on the air conditioning.
Summer can be an excellent time of year to enjoy, however, do be vigilant about the heat, and check on the most vulnerable people including the elderly and young children during those fiercely hot summer days.
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