Surviving a Heat Wave

Health

We have been catapulted into SUMMER! At a balmy 33oC degrees today, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to assess our summer-fun kit to ensure that we enjoy the next few months to the full!

I did a little research and in order to enjoy the seasonal heat wave, experts recommend we follow this [fairly self explanatory] list of guidelines:

 1. Use Fans throughout the home  (day and night)

**In the evening open windows and doors to promote air circulation

***After sun rise, close those doors and shut all blinds to keep the indoors a cool haven. 

2. Water. Drink, shower, bathe, spritze; water is cooling! 

3. Downstairs. Hot air rises... stay downstairs kids

4. Turn off things that are hot. No stove, oven, lights, radiators etc etc

5. Avoid alcohol and caffeine *boooo*. It's annoying.. but true.

6. Go to 'cool' places. Libraries, shopping malls, etc etc

7. Stay away from large, protein rich meals (They can increase metabolism and warm the body)

8. Recognize signs of heat related illness. Remember the number, 911!

9. Don't forget your dog! A cool bath, cool washcloth or fan will help. Call your vet if you find your pet has any of the following symptoms:

• rapid panting
• wide eyes
• drooling ( and not because of your steak dinner)
• hot skin
• twitching muscles
• vomiting
• dazed expression ( and again, not because of the steak)

Darren and I decided that our summer would start with a little shopping trip to equip ourselves with the necessary items to enjoy the heat wave to the max. 

1. A standing fan c/o Wall Mart. Check out this sunbeam beauty. She was cheap but she works *sigh*

2. Darren's Bike needed fixing so we took her in to Little Ed's in Collingwood. Ed LOVES his bikes and as we left Darren's bike to get her [very minor] repairs done to the handle bar grips, we caught him giving her a few extra bike 'spa treatments'. 

And here is someone enjoying the new hot weather.. 

3. Patio Furniture from Canadian Tire. This involved multiple experimental comfort checks, squish monitoring and price analysis. In the end we went for cheap and cheerful (it seems one can pay anything from $10 - $1000!) and they look fabulous!

It's going to be an awesome summer!