Staying Cool During A Heat Wave Without Air Conditioning

For the sun-drenched month of July, a third of Canada is currently under heat advisory warnings, according to Environment Canada. As temperatures soar to all-time record levels this week, many households are without air conditioning. This leaves residents to scramble for other ways to stay cool in the scorching heat. And I mean scorching! Here are some tips on how to stay cool, keeping you refreshed, recharged, and chill while preparing for the rolling heat waves this summer.

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Household Solutions On How To Handle The Heat

Stay Up To Date

As warmer winds approach the city, it’s very important to check the weather frequently in order to prepare. While its difficult to predict weather accurately days in advance, you will have an idea of how hot it’s going to be, and when in the day it will be the hottest. This can be done by checking your local weather app or the weather forecast on TV. Staying up to date will help you plan for solutions at home during the times of dangerously high temperatures.

Stay Hydrated With Cool Fluids

Take advantage of the cooling powers of water. One of the biggest ways to keep yourself cool during a heat wave is to stay hydrated, and drink liquids frequently. Ditch the coffee and alcohol–as they can cause dehydration–and substitute them for water or electrolytes. Consume more water than you usually do when it’s hot. By drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding the feeling of thirst, helps keep the body’s temperature in check and hydrated. 

Another great way to cool yourself down is to not just drink cool fluids, but also take showers or baths and apply cool washcloths to your body. For those who work outdoors in the heat, you could even use a damp bandana around your neck to stay refreshed.

Purchase A Fan

Surviving heat in extreme temperatures becomes a challenge for everyone. If you don’t have air conditioning, use box fans and ceiling fans as an alternative. Some models, like the Dyson Cool collection, even have cool settings you can take advantage of to simulate air conditioning. Fans increase airflow, which can help speed up evaporation in humid environments. Additionally, if you do not have either a box fan or ceiling fan in the cooler evenings, open all windows and promote as much air circulation as possible.

Reduce The Amount Of Heat You Generate

Keeping your house cool during a heatwave can be challenging without any air conditioning. Embracing the dark is an efficient way to eliminate extra sources of heat in your home. This can be done by simply covering the windows to cut off sunlight from getting inside. You can do this with curtains, blinds, or by pinning blankets if you don’t have curtains that will shield your home from direct sunlight.

The lower levels of a house are generally cooler than the upper floors, due to hot air rising. Head downstairs — basement or basement level can be a cool refuge from the heat during the day. Turning off your lights and appliances is also an effective way to reduce heat. Incandescent bulbs, computers and appliances left on generate unnecessary heat in your home. Also try to eat fresh foods that do not require you to use the oven or stove to prepare.

Head To A Local Cooling Center

Is your house too warm? No problem, emergency Cooling Centres with air-conditioned resting spaces will be accessible for the public. Toronto’s Cooling Centre locations will help provide relief to residents, including those who live in apartment buildings that do not have to air-condition. These Emergency Cooling Centres will operate at the following locations during Heat Warnings only, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Feature Image: Kanawa_Studio