According to the Weather Network, it’s going to feel like 48C in Toronto today. Probably even hotter if you’re stuffed like sardines, in the subway, and someone’s literally breathing down your neck!
(For everyone else not located in Southern-Ontario, count your blessings. 🙂 )
To cope with this heatwave, here are some ways to beat the heat!:
1. Stay Hydrated. If you’re into bottled water, load up that fridge! If you’re heading out, don’t forget the water;
2. Stay in the Shade. I just saw a news story about how the beach was going to get busier this week with the heatwave. I don’t know about you, but lying exposed, on sand, which feels as hot as asphalt, doesn’t cool me off!
Ideally, stay indoors where there is air-conditioning. Think mall, library, recreation centre, grocery store…near the freezers, etc.;
3. Avoid Strenuous Activity. Not only will it be hot, but it will also be humid. And many people, in this kind of humidity, often find it difficult to breathe. So overexertion is not recommended;
4. Draw The Blinds. Sun adds heat, so even with the AC on, it’ll feel hot;
5. Don’t Turn On The Lights…if it’s not necessary. If you need the lights, use a light source with an energy efficient bulb that doesn’t produce as much heat;
6. Unplug That Digital Cable Box. Also make sure that there isn’t anything on top of it. Last week, it literally felt as though someone turned up the heat in my room. As I was trying to go to sleep, there was a loud humming coming from my cable box, so I got up, and unplugged it et voila! The room instantly felt cooler;
7. Use A Ceiling Fan. If, like me the AC doesn’t seem to quite reach the room you’re in, which has a ceiling fan, turn it on to help circulate the air! Just make sure you turn it off when you leave the room to save electricity;
8. Wear Light-weight, Looser Clothing. This is no time for spandex or polyester, people! I’m talking about natural fibres like linen and thin cottons that drift away from the body.
Gosh, do I feel sorry for people who have to wear uniforms or suits;
9. Take A Cold Shower! After you step out, skip the blow dryer. Semi-wet hair will keep you cooler for longer;
10. Go Easy On The Makeup. Ladies, when it’s this hot out, you’ll want to adjust your makeup routine. Instead of full coverage foundation, try a tinted moisturiser.
I’m a big fan of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15. You may lightly dust some sheer powder over your moisturiser to avoid getting shiny, and;
11. Head To The Basement. If you’re fortunate enough to live in a house with a decent basement, sans creepy crawlies, consider camping out with the family ’til the heatwave’s over. Remember, heat rises, so it’ll be folds cooler down in the “dungeon”.
Now the part that I’m bad with is planning activities to do when it’s hot out.
What kinds of things do you like to do to beat the heat?
there should be 12 ways to beat the heat…
12. book a ticket to BC or Alberta…its rained most of their summer why not cool off over there and then come back when the heat wave has finished…lol
Live in Vancouver…haha we’ve had horrible weather all summer, I’m wearing Fall/Spring clothes. Have only worn shorts once this summer..mostly in light long sleeves and jackets when I go out..*sigh* I wouldn’t mind a bit of that nice weather you guys are having.
Live in BC as well and I’m loving this cool wet weather we’re having. We’re supposed to have a hot August, but for now I get to save on a/c and water costs!
I’m also in BC- in the Fraser Valley, and this weather is horrible for farming! On the plus side, my pregnant friends are loving the cool weather; no sweaty waddling for them!
I love BC weather 🙂 Wish there was a bit more sunshine but glad it’s not a heatwave. It will be funny if BC is hot in August and Ontario cools down as I’m heading to Ontario for a few weeks.
When I go for a late night walk, I just keep on the sidewalk and let the neighbours’ sprinklers hit me. I might look silly but it sure feels good and I’m still able to do some physical activity in the heat.
We are considering “moving” our master bedroom into the basement for the summer since it’s so much cooler. I think it’s a good idea!
Live in Vancouver. Hate the weather. I want a real summer so I can wear skirts and shorts. I want sunshine, not cloud an rain…:(
Been staying in all week with the A/C (SW ONT)…its hot & steamy here already at 5am!!! We went boating on Mitchell’s Bay last night….so nice & swam til sunset!!! haha
Last week I took a 5 minute walk to the grocery store (Fredericton). It was so humid that, on the way back, I was having through breathing. Hyperhydrosis doesn’t help matters much either. I’m just glad I work from home where the AC is blowing in my direction.
Think of your posties today Ontarians!! They will be out walking for 3-5hrs in 48C.
AC is fixed….getting dressed soon for my recycle walk….yes I’m crazy but the thought of those coupons going to waste……the horror!!!!
when at home, take a loose fitting t-shirt, dunk in warm water, wring out
and put on…will keep u cool for hours and save on your a/c bill
Nekkid is good.
“For everyone else not located in Southern-Ontario, count your blessings.”
Typical “center of the earth” comment.
They’re calling for 47 with the humidex in Ottawa today. BTW- that’s not close to “look at us, where the most important self-centered part of the country” Southern Ontario.
We had that earlier this week here in MB. It’s been +30 with +36-+48 humidity for the last 10 days. The +48 wasn’t a lot of fun but if you stayed somewhere that had air conditioning it was survivable.
I soak washcloths in cold water and freeze them in jiffy bags for my husband to take to work.
The one hideous summer I lived without AC in Toronto I would do a movie day with friends on the weekends. We’d take in 2-3 shows until the sun went down and then go out for dinner in the same mall. Yes, a little pricey but worth it to stay in the sweet, cool, dark air conditioning.
Seriously Bytown? Really?
We have two tower fans in our house, that’s it. And it’s a townhouse unit, so we get the heat from the other 3 units connected to us. When it’s this hot, we stay inside with the blinds drawn. Just no way I could go out with two little kids…I can’t take the heat. Once the kids are in bed at 7 pm, the clothes come off!! That helps to cool us down considerably. And if I’m really hot when it’s bedtime, I jump in the shower for a cold rinse.
@ Bytown – Last time I checked, Ottawa was in the eastern portion of what constitutes “Southern Ontario”. In fact, 92% of Ontario’s population lives in what is considered “Southern Ontario”.
I’m glad I have central air. I feel bad for anyone who has to work in this heat. All the people working in those hot factories, or construction workers or any body else who has to be exposed to the elements to work daily. I worry about healthy people who don’t have air in this weather but especially people with health problems its defiantly a concern!
I have my dehumidifier running as well as my Central air and some fans ( hopefully my Ac doesn’t have to work as hard with some help but in this heat its likely unavoidable). I tuned my ac a few degrees hotter than I usually run it to to try to cut back a little. We do however have a nice basement too so we are able to hang out down there while the heat wave is on for added comfort.
I have also hung blankets over my existing curtains to try to block out the blazing sun! It doesn’t look so nice in here with all the sheets on my windows but it works and its only temporary!
When you water your lawn ..also spray your house from the outside ..i.e the outside walls , windows , roof etc with water ..if you can do this every 2-3 hrs that’s great ..the water evaporates quickly & cools down the house considerably . Just as you cool down when you sweat ..a house sprayed from outside with water becomes cool when that water evaporates
I was in osoyoos when Canada’s highest temp record was broken (unless it’s been broken since then, that was 10 years ago or so). 54 w/o humidex. Pretty much all we could physically do was sleep or lie in the water – it’s interesting how much toll the heat takes on your body!
i discovered this amazing new product last month, i bought it from Home depot in Richmond Hill. Its this plastic film you put on your windows and it reflects 95% of UV rays and blocks heat from entering our house. I didnt believe it at first…since the plastic looked so flimsy. but trust me, it actually works
our house AC is kept at 26 degrees, but it feels WAY cooler more like 21 deg. But the plastic film is really expensive tho…about $40…the one i bought was from the GILA brand
water bans have been imposed in many cities, indoor water use only allowed.
8. Wear Light-weight, Looser Clothing.
Gosh, do I feel sorry for people who have to wear uniforms or suits;
LOL I feel bad for women wearing burkas and other unnecessary coverings.. 🙁
Head to Muskoka! There’s nothing like a beautiful lake to get this city stink & heat off your mind. If you’re stuck in town – Keep those windows covered AND closed – don’t let in any of the hot air. We don’t have AC and let me tell you the air that comes in your windows is like hot coffee breath – ugh. It’s always a good time to plan the trip to IKEA – eat cheap & stay cool, even something for the kids to do there! Just remember it won’t last…
I love, love, LOVE the fro-yo @ IKEA. At $0.75/cone, who can beat that??
Another honourable mention goes to Costco Soft-Serve! It’s $1.99, HUGE, comes in a waffle cone, creamy, and not chemically tasting at all. Share with a loved one…YUM!
Highest temp recorded in Canada – Midale and Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, July 5, 1937 – 113 F, 45C
While the aforementioned window film may work while it’s on – it’s an absolute horror to remove after years after it’s been baked on to windows!
Stephania – I love the ice cream cones at Costco!!
another idea: look into if your city/town has set up a “cooling centre”. my city set up tables and chairs in the community complex with the AC on and the water depot handing out cold bottles of water for free. they are open 10am-10pm so it’s a nice treat for anyone suffering w/o an AC or fan of some sort.
Super friggin’ hot here in Ottawa… Wish my AC was working 🙁 Cold shower it is!
… and I think Bytown needs to go back to Grade 9 geography. I’m in Ottawa too…… in Southern Ontario!
Thanks for the tips! Another one is to run cold water over each of your wrists for 10 seconds. It makes your body feel much cooler. You can also put cold water on your neck
Gawked at the Christmas ornaments at the Hallmark store.
Pretty expensive stuff.
Spray parks are awesome, a great way to cool of. We have had some pretty hot day’s in Saskatchewan with +30 to +35 And only going down at night’s to +26. My AC is trying to keep up.
I’ve heard of people putting their bed sheets in the freezer, never tried it but supposedly it works pretty well!
Come visit my home town. It got all the way up to 12 C today. Brrrr
Still think its a good idea to book a trip out to BC if you are so we ever so need the tourism…except for today I thought it was strange people walking around in town trying to think its really hot wearing spaghetti string tops, short shorts, and flip flops its partly cloudly outside and it rains here and there…
Hubby bought (very over priced, but kinda worth it) a small vial of oil (mint, eucaliptus, menthol and maybe a few others)… we were told 3 drops on the back of your neck and you wouldn’t feel hot. You know what? It works. The cooling sensation of the menthol combination was perfect… but add to a sunburn, or put it on on a chilly day, and you are COLD until it wears off.
I keep a wet towel around my neck. When it warms up too much, I shake it out or rince it.
I spent today shopping… which was nice that I had so many cold stores to enjoy, BUT the constant change in temp was very taxing on my body. Going from cold store to hot parkinglot and van, back into a cold store… I was disoriented and tired in no time. Advise? Stick to one temp for as long as you can, constant change messes you up.