It is the end of March which means that many places are getting into their warm weather...that is if this hard winter will finally go into hibernation mode...so I have here some tips for you and others to keep safe and cool while still keeping your utility bills relatively low.
1. Only turn your air conditioner on for one hour at the hottest point of the day (early afternoon).
2. Keep your blinds and curtains completely shut all day (to block the 'greenhouse effect'), BUT leave your windows open to allow some air flow (except during your one hour of a.c.).
*Don't leave your lights on but only use lights during necessary use.
3. Only drink refrigerated or ice water.
*No soda as that actually DE-hydrates you.
*Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Some more/some less depending on body size, age, and amount of fruits and veggies you eat throughout the day.
*Some people are worried about the effect that sometimes can happen when drinking cold water when the body is too hot. -You should be fine as long as you don't guzzle it right after coming back into the house all hot and sweaty.
*Using an attic fan or box fan at night does wonders with keeping the place cool for sleeping.
5. Do not use your oven except for special occasions.
*Eat 'cold' meals: sandwiches, salads, etc.
*OR just use one of those George Foremans for cooking certain things.
6. Eat A LOT of cold/refrigerated fruit and veggies. I know many folks that enjoy frozen fruit as well such as grapes and other berries.
7. Take 2 cold showers/baths a day. 1 to wash and 1 to rinse/cool off.
*To conserve on water, turn it off during soaping/shampooing/shaving and turn it back on to rinse.
8. Do not use hair dryers, clothing dryers, hair irons, or clothing irons, or any other heat inflecting appliances except during mandatory times.
*For your hair, braid it after washing and let it out after it's dry to give it a nice wave.
-That will also give you a nice summer style.
*Hang your clothes out to dry either around the house or outside.
*Mist spray your clothes with water and shake them out to get out wrinkles.
*Also leave these unplugged when they aren't being used.
9. Run through the sprinklers outside with your kids.
*That not only cools you off but it also is just a lot of fun.
10. Wear light clothing. Not skimpy, but light. -There is a difference.
Please check-in on your elderly neighbors. Every year the summer time brings unfortunate deaths among the elderly from heat stroke. Often times it's the ones that didn't have anyone to check in on them and/or were so low on expenses that they couldn't use their air conditioner and didn't take precautions for it. So please check on them and make sure that they are keeping cool during those hot days as well.
 |
| I had typed in "elderly person keeping cool" and this picture had been among them. It was so cute I couldn't pass it up so I had to share it with you! |
What are some inexpensive things you've found that helps keep you cool during the hot summer months?
No comments:
Post a Comment