9 Easy Ways to Stay Cool This Weekend

The National Weather Service just issued a heat advisory for our area, in effect from now until Saturday at 8 PM. With the humidity, it will feel like it is up to 108 degrees outside.

Most of us already know the basic rules of a heatwave: drink plenty of water, stay in air conditioning, avoid the sun, and check on your neighbors and older relatives.

But when it gets this hot, the basics might not be enough. If your AC is having a hard time keeping the house cold, or you just want to lower your power bill, you have to get creative.

Here are some easy hacks to help you stay cool until the heat advisory ends:

1. Make Your Own AC with Ice

A normal fan just blows hot air around. Fix this by putting a big bowl of ice cubes right in front of the fan. As the ice melts, the fan will blow the icy, cold air right at you.

2. Cool Down Your Pulse Points

Want to cool off fast? Put an ice pack, a wet rag, or a cold towel on your wrists, your neck, or your temples. Your blood flows very close to the skin in these spots, so cooling them down helps cool your whole body fast.

3. Freeze Your Sheets

Sleeping in the heat is tough. About an hour before you go to sleep, put your pillowcases and your top sheet into a clean plastic bag. Put the bag in the freezer. When it is time for bed, put them back on your mattress for a chilly, refreshing sleep.

4. Make a Cold Rice Pack

Store-bought ice packs get warm too fast. Instead, take a clean sock, fill it with uncooked rice, tie the end closed, and put it in the freezer. The rice stays cold for a long time, and the sock will easily bend around your neck or shoulders.

5. Freeze a Hot Water Bottle

Hot water bottles are great for winter, but they work for summer, too. Fill one halfway with water and freeze it. Keep it at the foot of your bed at night, or rest your feet on it while you sit on the couch.

6. Eat Cold Foods and Skip the Oven

Turning on your oven will heat up your entire kitchen. Skip cooking and eat cold meals like sandwiches or salads instead. Also, try snacking on foods that are full of water, like watermelon, cucumbers, and strawberries, to help you stay hydrated.

7. Spin Your Ceiling Fan the Right Way

Did you know your ceiling fan has a summer and winter setting? Make sure the blades are spinning counter-clockwise. This pushes the air straight down and creates a nice, cool breeze.

8. Close the Blinds Early

Sunlight heats up your house fast. Close your curtains and blinds first thing in the morning. If you block the sun out before your rooms get hot, your house will stay much cooler all day.

9. Open Windows at Night

Once the sun goes down and it is finally cooler outside than it is inside, open windows on opposite sides of your house. This pulls fresh air through your home. Just remember to shut the windows and close the blinds again when you wake up!

When temperatures spike like this, our best resource is each other. Take a moment this weekend to check in on the folks next door especially older residents or those who might be living alone.

If someone’s AC is struggling, don't hesitate to share some extra ice or help them set up a nighttime cross-breeze.

We’ll see you around town when things cool down!