**** Info via Environment Canada
How to beat the summer humidity
Many parts of Canada have a hot and humid summer, making an air conditioner (AC) an essential item to have during those hot days. It’s very important for those who don’t have an AC unit to find ways to stay fresh during the hot season.
Here are five methods to stay cool while at home:
- Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of cool liquids, ideally water, before feeling thirsty to decrease the risk of dehydration
- Keep your blinds/curtains closed during the day
Keeping the blinds closed helps to prevent the sun from heating up your house. If possible, at night, open your windows to let cooler air into the house.
- Close the doors of unused rooms
By keeping unused rooms closed, it confines the displacement of the cool air to the occupied areas of the house.
- Take cold showers or baths
If your home is too hot, you can hop in a cold shower until you feel refreshed.
- Use box or ceiling fans to strategically move air around your house
The blades of any fan, in hot weather, should spin counter clockwise to help push cold air down. You can always use two fans to create crosswinds in your house.
Remember that there are always local public facilities with accessible AC to keep you cool on very hot days. This can also help you cope with the heat.
If you feel any symptoms of a heat stroke, always call medical emergencies.
For more: How to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat.
