Keep Cool

Keep your body cool and hydrated

• Use light and loose-fitting clothing and bed linens
• Take cool showers or baths
• Wet your skin using a damp cloth, spray, or wet clothing
• Drink water regularly (1 cup of water per hour and at least 2-3 litres per day).
• Regularly check in with vulnerable people in your circle – especially people over 65 years old and those with heart, lung, or kidney conditions, a disability, and living alone.

Heat in the Body

Stay out of the heat

• Avoid going outside and doing strenuous activity during the hottest time of day. 
• Stay in the shade. Remember that reported temperatures are measured in the shade, and it can be 10-15˚C hotter in the sun.
• Spend 2–3 hours of the day in a cool place.
• Be aware of the risk of drowning. Never swim alone. 

Keep your home cool

• Use the night air to cool down your home by opening windows after dark.
• During the day, close windows and cover them with blinds or shutters to block sunlight. Turn off as many electrical devices as possible.
• Use electric fans only when temperatures are below 40˚C / 104˚F. In temperatures above 40˚C / 104˚F fans will heat the body.
• If using Air Conditioning, set the thermostat to 27˚C / 81˚F and turn on an electric fan – this will make the room feel 4˚C cooler.
• Remember that it may be cooler outdoors in the shade.

Heat at Home

Protect infants and children

• Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles for any amount of time, as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high. 
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, seeking shade or staying indoors instead. 
• Never cover an infant stroller / pram with dry fabric – this makes it hotter inside the carriage. Instead, use a wet, thin cloth and re-wet as necessary to lower the temperature. Combine with a portable fan for even greater cooling.
• Dress children in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers their skin, and use wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect them from the sun’s rays.
• Follow the guidance on keeping your home cool to maintain a safe indoor temperature