Hello, All you HOT friends.
Colleen, @colleenyoung, I just read your message and call for help re the heat. You called the right folks, friendly Southerners used to some heat and humidity. Mary, @imallears, did a great job on that list. You hit most of the areas we automatically take into consideration,
Couple of additional thoughts:
# It's extremely important for us to keep a bottle of cool water near all the time. Dehydration can land you in the hospital ED pretty fast. I've actually been in hospital several times with dehydration issues. No fun and very dangerous.
# I have water with me everywhere I go. And drink it through-out the day and evening. Take it shopping, walking, wherever you are, have water.
#Walking the dog, my little Sophia, I often took a bottle of water for each of us. As she got older, it was tough on her to be in the heat, so we had water stops along the way. made a big difference for us both. I also had little paw shoes for her to protect her pads from the heat of the streets/pavement, and from chemicals on lawns, as she was allergic to the weeds and weed killers, etc. She stopped biting and chewing her paws after I protected them for her. Pets can get sunburn and heat issues like us.
# Limit the caffeine, since it encourages dehydration. Important.
little paw shoes for Sophie to protect her pads. Get out your parasol, girls.
# Mary mentioned fans. Use them. I have ceiling fans in every room, leave some on, sleep under a fan at night. I want the air movement. Helps cool and with breathing more easily.
# Be aware of your sweating. Your body will tell you if you need fluids - dry mouth, stop sweating, chills, fuzzy brain, dizzy, headache....all important reminders to drink water. Rest. Take it slow. Why do you think we all talk so funny....Southern drawl and all.
# Crazy sounding, but I and many of my friends keep an old fashioned fan in the purse or car. I carry one in my purse and gently cool down if needed. It's really helps.
# I rarely drive a dark colored car, due to the heat transference. And, I use window shields in the front windshield to keep the temp lowers when parked. Got hot pink color on one side, silver on other. With blk trim. My color combination is important....
# When you're walking outside or gardening, it can help to keep a wet/damp small towel around your neck to catch sweat and keep you cooler. It work wonders walking the dog. I used it to wipe off my face and neck and arms, too, which helped.
A lot is common sense. But you may not think of it since you don't live with it daily. I would be lost living in snow country. How to unfreeze a car door lock, or get rid of ice on windshield, or keep ice off the steps, etc. falling would be a tough issue for me in the northern climes, and I'd need help learning how to survive. In fact, we had a house in NC mountains and almost moved there permanently, overlooking Grandfather Mountain, It was lovely, but Mom and I decided it would be too difficult for us to transition to the snow lifestyle. We were right, but would have loved living. there. Just maybe a few years earlier.
Good chat. Hope something helps, even tho most of this wild heat your way is lessened....now we gave you our secrets.
Be well. Stay cool. Take care of yourselves.
Blessings from sunny Florida, wet Florida. Tropical Flroda.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, that’s a very sensible and comprehensive list. Thank you. Nice additions, @danab