Heatwave: Useful Tips to Stay Cool and Hydrated
Heatwaves are not simply a difficult weather condition. They are an extremely dangerous situation, during which vulnerable groups are at serious risk, while of course the entire population must be extremely careful and avoid travel and staying for long in high temperatures.
The most important thing during heatwave days, but also in general throughout the summer, is prevention, so that we do not excessively strain our bodies. Especially for the elderly, children, and pregnant women, it is essential to remain in an air-conditioned space, while attention is also needed for our pets, particularly when they are elderly or belong to a breed that cannot tolerate heat.
In prevention and protection from intense heat, proper hydration by ensuring sufficient water intake is perhaps the most important step, in order to make sure your body is not overly burdened and to safeguard your health.
In fact, there are solutions, such as the home water cooler Polaris, so that you always have cool water during the heatwave, thus ensuring your ideal hydration.
What to watch out for in a heatwave
The ten rules of actions you should take whenever the temperature exceeds 35 degrees are:
• Stay in an air-conditioned space, but not at excessively low temperatures. The most sustainable option, both economically and environmentally, is to set the air conditioner temperature between 26-28 degrees. This way, you don’t consume too much energy and, additionally, if you need to go outside, your body won’t suffer a huge shock from the temperature change.
• Take frequent showers with lukewarm water.
• Keep shutters and windows closed during the day and open them after 9 p.m.
• Avoid heavy meals and prefer refreshing foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
• Cool your forehead and temples with a towel soaked in cold water.
• Use a fan in combination with air conditioning for extra cooling.
• Avoid outdoor travel as much as possible.
• If you must go outside, try to do so before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Dress lightly but do not leave the body overly exposed. It is preferable to wear long and loose clothing that protects you from the sun, as long as it is made of cool fabrics, such as linen.
• Stay hydrated by ensuring constant access to cool water.
How vulnerable groups can be protected
During a heatwave, there are certain groups of people who need special attention. High-risk groups include infants, children, the elderly, pregnant women, overweight individuals, and people with chronic illnesses.
They must always remain in an air-conditioned space and avoid going outside, or staying for long periods in a car without air conditioning.
It is recommended to monitor them constantly for signs of overheating and to provide plenty of fluids. Frequent lukewarm showers are also essential.
How to take care of your pets during a heatwave
Just as we humans suffer, our beloved pets can also be severely affected on hot days, especially if they are elderly. To keep them safe, you must be especially careful:
• Provide your pet with plenty of fresh, cool water.
• If it is outdoors, make sure it has shade.
• Brush it regularly to remove dead hair and help its coat breathe better.
• Do not take it for a walk at noon. Only early in the morning or in the evening is it safe for a dog to go out for a walk.
• Never leave it in the car, not even for a few minutes.
• If you notice signs of heatstroke, such as excessive drooling, vomiting, heavy panting, or instability, contact a veterinarian immediately.
How to stay hydrated during a heatwave
Water is the most important way to ensure that our body functions properly during hot days. As we sweat heavily, the intake of sufficient amounts of water prevents heatstroke and dehydration, which can even be fatal, especially for high-risk groups.
But how much water should we drink during a heatwave? One thing is certain: the rule of 8–10 glasses (2–2.5 liters) does not apply, since a huge part of fluid intake is lost through sweat. The answer, therefore, is that we should drink as much water as our body needs depending on its requirements (level of physical activity, gender, age, room temperature, etc.).
However, here lies a problem. With such high temperatures, you may need to drink as much as 4–5 liters to meet your body’s needs. In a family of four with a dog, the daily need for cool water may exceed 20 liters, which equals about 15–20 bottles of water.
And of course, let’s not even mention workplaces, where the concentration of so many people makes it extremely difficult for a refrigerator to cool such large quantities of water.
The solution to this problem is water coolers. In professional environments, water coolers are required to serve up to 70 people simultaneously. This way, everyone will have access to clean and cool water while working, which is crucial for both safety and productivity at work.
Even at home, however, a water cooler such as the Polaris home cooler solves the problem in the most efficient way. And this is because:
• It offers abundant, continuous water at the temperature you prefer.
• It is much more efficient and faster than cooling water in the refrigerator.
• It has a built-in compact activated carbon filter, so you know that the water you drink is clean, free from chlorine, microbes, rust, asbestos, soil, and suspended particles.
• Its operation is much more economical than that of a refrigerator.
• It is useful not only during heatwaves but throughout the year, since it offers not only cold water but water at any temperature you want.
• And of course, it is the ideal ecological solution as it puts a definitive end to plastic bottles.
After all, the most important thing during a heatwave is to drink cool water continuously. Under no circumstances should you allow your body to become dehydrated or overheated and then suddenly drink a large amount of water, as this not only exhausts the body but can also affect kidney function.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones during heatwave days with the efficient, safe, and economical filtered water coolers from Rainbow Waters, so you can always drink as much cool water as you need!