joequill
On the Prowl
With the news that parts of the UK may hit 40c (104F) this week and since this is all new to you and air-conditioning is not a 'thing' there, I thought as someone who lives where 40c+ temperatures are fairly common (Melbourne Australia) and lived many years with air-con maybe I and others can give some advice.
If you have windows that get hit directly with sun, before the sun rises wet the inside of the window and stick aluminium/tin foil to them( the water will act like glue), shiny side out, also on windows where the heat may be reflected i.e. sunny courtyards as radiant heat is as bad as direct sunshine. Just closing curtains only helps a little as the heat still comes in. Here the cheap supermarket brand is not ideal mid-range price is fine because of the thickness
Cold showers will make you hotter as your body will work to bring the skin back up to temperature, a warm shower is much better for you.
Wet towels on a clothes horse or similar with a fan behind will act like evaporative cooling, it wont cool the room a whole lot but there will be a cool breeze.
Hydration is important but too may ice-cold waters etc. have the same affect as cold showers. Ice packs, shop bought or homemade on 'pulse points' can help if you are feeling very hot, as will feet in cold water as it cools the blood.
This heat can and will kill especially when it is uncommon it is important to keep an eye on the elderly, the young, the sick and of course animals. The day of the black Saturday bushfires, where over 45c was recorded in the city ( 50c+ outside of the city) I was carer to an elderly couple who lived in a double brick ,fully insulated, air-conditioned house with window shutters after the power went out within 15 minutes their house was 35c inside and climbing all I could do was wrap them in damp towels-also good for pets.
Blackouts are likely make sure mobile phones, laptops, etc are kept on charge the whole time as there is no idea how long they will last. If you are able freeze water in plastic bottles ( I used 2 litre milk bottles) and if the power goes out place them on the top shelf of the refrigerator to keep your food safe and only open when you know what you want to take from it! Also if there's the slightest gap between the fridge and door seal place something heavy against the outside of the door to shut it firmly
Hopefully these help
Good Luck!!
If you have windows that get hit directly with sun, before the sun rises wet the inside of the window and stick aluminium/tin foil to them( the water will act like glue), shiny side out, also on windows where the heat may be reflected i.e. sunny courtyards as radiant heat is as bad as direct sunshine. Just closing curtains only helps a little as the heat still comes in. Here the cheap supermarket brand is not ideal mid-range price is fine because of the thickness
Cold showers will make you hotter as your body will work to bring the skin back up to temperature, a warm shower is much better for you.
Wet towels on a clothes horse or similar with a fan behind will act like evaporative cooling, it wont cool the room a whole lot but there will be a cool breeze.
Hydration is important but too may ice-cold waters etc. have the same affect as cold showers. Ice packs, shop bought or homemade on 'pulse points' can help if you are feeling very hot, as will feet in cold water as it cools the blood.
This heat can and will kill especially when it is uncommon it is important to keep an eye on the elderly, the young, the sick and of course animals. The day of the black Saturday bushfires, where over 45c was recorded in the city ( 50c+ outside of the city) I was carer to an elderly couple who lived in a double brick ,fully insulated, air-conditioned house with window shutters after the power went out within 15 minutes their house was 35c inside and climbing all I could do was wrap them in damp towels-also good for pets.
Blackouts are likely make sure mobile phones, laptops, etc are kept on charge the whole time as there is no idea how long they will last. If you are able freeze water in plastic bottles ( I used 2 litre milk bottles) and if the power goes out place them on the top shelf of the refrigerator to keep your food safe and only open when you know what you want to take from it! Also if there's the slightest gap between the fridge and door seal place something heavy against the outside of the door to shut it firmly
Hopefully these help
Good Luck!!
