14 Ideas to Stay Cool During Extreme Heat
You're huffing and puffing and starting to sweat—and that's just from walking across the parking lot in blistering heat and humidity. This summer has left us all struggling to stay cool.
"The last 13 months have been the hottest on record. We're seeing increased levels of heat-related illness, and it started earlier in the season we're used to," says Dr. Tess Wiskel, a climate change and human health fellow at the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, and an emergency physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Don't wait until you're overheated to figure out how to cool down. Be wary of high temperature risks throughout your day and practice ways to avoid them. Here are 14 ideas to get you started.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you're not cooling down after trying numerous methods, Dr. Wiskel advises that you seek care. Call your doctor's office or call 911 if you're exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion, such as Pay extra attention to those symptoms, especially if you're vulnerable to heat and aren't able to regulate your temperature well.
Who Is at High Risk?
- Older adults
- Babies and children
- People who are pregnant
- Individuals taking medications that reduce sweating
- People who work outdoors
- Those with certain health conditions, including cardiovascular disease
"People at high risk include older adults, babies and children, those who are pregnant, people who take medications that make them less able to sweat, people who work outdoors, and people with certain health conditions, including cardiovascular disease," Dr. Wiskel says. "And if you're not high risk, check in on people who are."