Stay cool, Austin!

How to survive a Texas summer

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Weather forcasters are predicting record high temps this week.
The record is held in 1925 when Austin went 69 days with 100 degrees-plus temeratures. But Austin's National Weather Service representative Joe Baskin said: " We' are not in bad shape. We have had years where we had 20 days of 100 degree weather."
A normal temperature for July of this year is 84.5 degrees and 84.2 in June whereas in 1993 the normal was 85.2 in June and 85.3 in July.
What to do to keep cool:

• Drink water, even if you are not thirsty.

• Fill your bathtub with cool water and get in. Your body will stay cool for a long time after you get out.

• Enjoy your  early walk, run, hike, bike, gardening, or yard work in the morning and evening when it's cool.

• Avoid direct sunlight.

• Use a hint of mint.Try a few minty or menthol products to cool your skin.

• Try a cold stone treatment. Go to the nearest outdoor space and select some smooth rocks, rinse them and lay them in your freezer in a piece of fabric. After about an hour, they'll be cold enough to rest on your wrists, neck and other pulse points to keep cool.

• Take a glass and fill it almost to the brim with ice cubes. Then hold it up to your mouth and blow gently into the cup.

• Breathe like a yogi. Try the yoga practice of shitali pranayama.

• Eat spicy food. It's not a coincidence that many people in hotter regions of the world eat spicy food. Spicy (hot to the taste) food increases perspiration which cools the body as it evaporates.

• Don’t eat; graze.

• Use rubbing alcohol and a wash cloth, pour some alcohol onto the cloth and rub it onto your face, and stand in front of or under moving air and the evaporating alcohol makes it feel around 30 degrees.

• Think cool. You might not be cooler physically, but your mind can help.

• Stick your feet out of your blankets.

• Dress for the heat. 

What to wear to keep cool:

• If you're in a situation where you can go without clothes, this can be the most comfortable, natural way to stay cool. (Not recommended for work situations.)
   
• Put on a swimsuit, or wear your underwear at home.
   
• Wear natural fabrics (cotton, silk, linen) rather than polyester, rayon, or other artificial fibers (with the possible exception of performance fabrics).
   
• Take off your shoes or hat while indoors.
   
• Wear light colors.

• Cover Up. By protecting your skin from the sun beating down, you'll also shade your skin.

Alterations you can make to your clothes and self to cool off:

• Ball up and soak a T-shirt and wear it, re-wet as it dries, and use room-temperature water. Use a synthetic shirt.

• Wet your wrists and temples. Use a piece of ice wrapped in a face cloth to continue after the coolness wears off.

• Wear a short sleeved shirt and put water on the sleeves. Use a squirt bottle, the sink or hose if outside to keep your sleeves wet.

• If you are outside and wearing long pants and you put water on your legs.

•  A bandana, soaked in water and tied around the neck, cools quickly and protects against sunburn. 

 How to keep your house cool:

• Use light-colored roofing. If you have the choice, choose a lighter roof or roof coating. It will reflect sunlight rather than absorbing it

• Plant Trees around for shade

• Don't put rocks, concrete, or brick patios right against the house where they will reflect heat onto walls or windows

Cautions and Warnings:

• Be sure to keep an eye on babies, children, pregnant women, and the elderly because they are more prone to overheating.

• If you experience symptoms of heat stroke or dehydration, call 911.

• Don't let your temperature rise, a body temperature above 104 °F (40 °C) is life-threatening and if it reaches 113 °F (45 °C), it's deadly.

• In many areas, high day temperatures can set off afternoon thunderstorms. Be prepared for such weather situations.

And from the Governor's Office of Emergency Management: 

• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle during hot weather, even for a short time.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid beverages with caffeine, lots of sugar or alcohol.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. When planning to work outside, do it early in the morning or in the evening, during the cooler hours of the day. Take frequent breaks when working outside.
• Wear sun block, a hat and loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect heat and sunlight, and help your body maintain normal temperatures.
• Remember that sunburn makes the body’s job of keeping cool more difficult.
• Check with a doctor about the effects of sun and heat in combination with prescription drugs, especially diuretics or antihistamines.
• Stay indoors as much as possible. If you don't have air conditioning, stay on the lowest floor of a building out of the sun. Use electric fans because they help sweat to evaporate, which cools your body.
• Eat smaller, well balanced meals, but eat more often.
• Make sure pets are provided with plenty of water and shade.
• The signs of heat illness can include dizziness, nausea, headaches and muscle cramps. If you experience these symptoms, move to a cooler area and rest a few minutes, then slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if conditions do not improve.

Other weather and emergency preparedness resources can be found:
Department of State Health Services Heat Precautions Web page
American Red Cross at: www.redcross.org or www.ready.gov
 
For more information, contact Public Information at (512) 424-2138 or visit GDEM’s Web site:

( How to Cool Yourself Without Air Conditioning, 10 Ways to Stay Cool, Five Unusual Ways to Stay Cool)