nonbinaryjohn:

laughswiththethunder:

pides:

pides:

• the uk is a very mild, humid place
  
• sweat does not evaporate well in humid heat; the uk has very, very humid heat
  
• meaning british people cannot cool down efficiently
  
• also british people are adapted for cooler temperatures
  
• people are literally expected to die in the next couple of days because of the heat wave
  
• the news has put out health warnings because people will literally die because of the heat
  
• shut up
  

oh yeah it’s also been pointed out in comments - we have no AC. no houses have AC. most buildings don’t have AC. most cars don’t have AC. 

As an American southerner from a humid climate, here are some tips. ( many of these especially apply to the elderly, infirm, or children)

1) drink lots of water. Like, holy hell, so much water.

2)Stay indoors as much as possible. If you must go outside, limit your direct sun exposure and rest often.

3) invest in a motorized fan of you can. They are worth their weight in gold when there’s no AC.

4) if your windows are double sashed (meaning that they open at the top and the bottom) you can encourage air circulation by taking advantage of the fact that heat rises. Open the top and bottom of your windows a crack and the change in pressure as the hot air leaves through the top will draw in cooler air from the bottom.

5) wear loose fitting clothing made of light materials and of a light color.

6) I already said this, but rest often. Moving around too much raises your heart rate and thus your overall temperature. Take things slow and easy as much as possible.

7) if you fear that someone is overheating, draw a cool bath for them (not cold, as that can cause shock) or place cool cloths at vital areas such as the back of the neck, the forehead, top of the head, underarms, or inner thighs.

If anyone else has anything to add or corrections to make, please do!

okay here are some additional tips:

• don’t drink sweetened, alcoholic and/or caffeinated drinks 
  
• drink hot beverages (this sounds weird, but it works)
• hats and umbrellas are a good way to avoid direct sunlight when you have to walk
• keep water in every room. often we don’t want to walk all the way to the kitchen when it’s so hot, so always keep it in reach
• get used to being in the heat gradually when you know you’ll have to stay in the heat for a longer time
• close the blinds! not only will this help keep your apartment/ house cool, but the bright light can cause headaches
• if you have kids:
• make sure they have enough water to drink
• make sure they have sunglasses
• make sure they have a hat etc to protect their head and eyes from the sun
• limit the time they spend outside. especially little kids can’t judge how much they can bear
• make sure they take a nap between noon and 3pm
• keep fruits in the fridge for when they need a cool snack (especially grapes, watermelon, everything with lots of water in it)
• actually, if you can, take a nap yourself. those are usually the hottest hours and you won’t be able to do much 
• stay away from ice cream etc. they don’t help for long and are usually very sweet
• warm water tastes awful, but it happens very fast if you’re travelling. if you travel by car, maybe invest in a cooler. for everything else: fill the bottle about a third to half (depending on how long you’ll need it) and put it in the freezer, fill up the rest right before you go
• since the sweat doesn’t evaporate, you’ll need to do this yourself (especially applied to those who work or have to go to school). a simple dry washcloth will help you feel less gross. 
• keep moist washcloths in the fridge. they’re a good way to cool down
• also make sure that your pets always have enough to drink! keep cats inside, don’t walk your dog during the day (the street gets really hot). small animals should be kept in a shadowy place
• if you have a headache, take a break. it’s usually a sign that the heat is getting to you and you should take it as such. don’t power through. put a cool cloth on your face, drink a lot
• shower when you get home, but keep the temperature just a bit under lukewarm. you can start off ice cold, but usually it will only make the hot air feel worse if you stop the ice cold water
• if you have to drive (especially without aircon):
• open all the windows a about two fingers wide (opening them completely is distracting when you’re driving and if you’re lucky like me and your ears get wet, you can actually get an ear infection which isn’t fun at all)
• keep sunglasses in your car that cover your entire field of vision and wear them whenever you drive - I don’t care if they make you look like a fly, the point is not to get blinded by the sun’s reflection in the car in front of you
• again, stay hydrated, this is especially important when driving.
• take breaks more often. especially when you’re driving two hours and up it’s important not to power through, no matter how desperate you are to arrive
• keep a fan in your car. you don’t want to be stuck in a traffic jam with nothing to cool you down now that you’re not driving fast enough to make aerodynamics work for you
• whenever possible, drive with someone else. preferably someone who can take over in case it gets too difficult, but just having someone to talk with can help you keep your concentration

In general, listen to your body and closely observe everyone who is more at risk. Keep hydrated (your pee should be a light yellow). Avoid direct sunlight. Slowly get used to the heat. Stay safe <3