Heat Wave Survival Tips

Avoid the summer sun during peak hours
Most of us realize the sun's effects are strongest around noon, but do really know what "peak hours" are? The Canadian Dermatology Association defines it as the time from 11 am to 4 pm. When ultraviolet readings are high (UV index 6-7) you should reduce exposure to the sun during this time, and take full precautions by wearing sunscreen, a shirt and a wide-brimmed hat. If the UV index reading is very high (8-10) or extreme (11+) it is best to avoid the sun as much as possible from 11 am to 4 pm. Remember, UV readings can be high even if the heat or sun don't seem strong!

Slip, Slop and Slap!
Never leave home without your protection, especially in summer's heat! Even when the UV reading is moderate (UV index 3-5) everyone should wear protection if they expect to be outside for more than 30 minutes. Slip on a shirt, slip on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat! Remember that sunscreen or sunblock are not intended to be your only protection against the sun: it's just one of the tools you should be using every day. Apply according to the label - that means using roughly enough to fill a shot glass, giving it 20 to 30 minutes to absorb into your skin before heading out the door, and re-applying as needed. Even on moderate UV days, seek shade at noon. Bringing along a bottle of water when you step out won't hurt, either.

Drink lots of fluids - but be careful what kind!
It may sound like a great idea to beat the heat by lying around the pool this summer and sipping frosty margaritas, but if you indulge please do it in moderation. Alcohol is a diuretic, which is why you feel that when you drink beer you are not buying it but merely renting it. Your favourite cocktail may feel refreshing going down, but it could leave you dehydrated if you drink too many. The same goes for those iced coffee drinks from the local cafe, and for any bottled tea or energy drink that is caffeinated. Try sticking to decaf during hot weather. Better still, keep it to one or two and then switch to water!

Cover your windows in summer's heat
Use white or light-coloured blinds on windows to reflect sunlight away from your windows. Keep blinds and drapes closed during the daytime, especially those on west- and south-facing windows. Take advantage of shutters and awnings too. If you are landscaping, you may want to plant a few deciduous trees on these sides of your home to provide shade. Avoid asphalt, cement or unshaded rock here, though, as it will gather heat during the daytime and radiate it at night. This will not allow your home to cool off sufficiently during hot weather.

Open upstairs windows just a bit
Your mother taught you to keep the windows closed when you are heating or cooling, and in general she's right. Who wants to pay for the whole neighbourhood to be air conditioned? But warm air rises, so if you open the windows on upper levels of your home just a bit, you can give the hot air inside a chance to escape. Use your good judgement, and consider the indoor temperature in those rooms versus the temperature outside. This tip may only work on cooler summer nights, or you may not be able to take advantage of it during the worst part of a heat wave. Keep it in the back of your mind, though, because there will be times when the outside is cooler than the inside!

Sources:
"25 cheap ways to keep your house cooler." MSN Money

Stephen Braun, Buzz: the science and lore of alcohol and caffeine. Accessed on Google Books

"UV index." Canadian Dermatology Association