Northeast Heatwave Tips from Texas...

[caseydog]

Looks like you guys are getting our weather. I was born up there, and know what it's like to live in an area where you are more prepared for snow and freezing weather than for 100-plus degrees.

Down here, it's just the opposite. Everything is geared towards summer heat, and we struggle with freezing temps.

Here are some tips...

1. Most important! Check on elderly neighbors, friends and relatives regularly. Make sure they have a cool place to stay, and drink enough water. These temps are VERY hard on the elderly, and they may not want to complain, so check on them.

Also: Don't leave your pets outside when it is this hot. Let the outdoor dogs inside till the weather cools down.

2. 100-plus temps can dehydrate you faster than you think, and you won't necessarily feel it happening until you are dehydrated. Drink lots of water, and if you feel weak, down some Gatoraid.

3. Use fans to augment your air conditioning. Down here, my little 1,600 square foot house has two complete AC systems to keep up with the heat. Chances are, your AC may struggle to keep up with 100-plus temps.

I have ceiling fans in every room, and a couple of table fans, too, just to keep air moving. I'm comfortable with the thermostat set on 78 as long as the air is moving.

4. Get used to doing outside chores at dawn and dusk. No matter how hot it gets down here, I still have yard work to do. I've gotten good at doing it as the sun disappears for the day. Mowing the lawn in 100-plus heat is just asking for trouble -- especially is your body is not used to it.

If you must work or play outside in these temperatures, make sure you drink water by the gallon -- even if you don't feel thirsty. Drink now, or IV later. Your choice.

CD

[teardrop_focus]

Excellent post...

If I recall correctly, when our armed services went to Kuwait en masse for the first time, in 120° heat and in full battle dress and gas masks, they were told to drink 6 GALLONS of water per person, per day. 6 freaking gallons!

[len19070]

Yesterday



The weather man says Its 103 degrees,

But at my shop I've got a balmy 104.



I'm not gonna quibble over 1 degree,

Its HOT and Humid!

Same for tomorrow (today).

Happy Trails

Len

[asianflava]

That sux, not only do you get the fun of dealing with snow, you get the heat that we used to get in TX. Right now, it's overcast with occasional drizzle. The high today is supposed to be 65.

[Miriam C.]

Good post! We have had upper 90's already and with 70+% humidity and the wind you don't really feel it and can dehydrate very fast!

Oh and stay away from caffeinated drinks. Water and juice. Even Veggie juice!

And keep the sun off your skin. We are sending you some rain.

[starleen2]

We're heading to Alaska in the new few weeks - I'm going to take a quart size mason jar with me and git' some of that cold air to bring back with us!

[MountainBiker]

Thanks for the tips, Caseydog
Even the cats are headed for the basement during the day, but the dog...well you have to bribe her with ice cream

[2bits]

I've been TRYING to stay out of the heat this summer but so far it has been fruitless and almost every weekend has me booked with some sort of activity that keeps me outside for an entire day. The heat will definitely kick your booty (and your loved ones) if you don't watch out for it.

Most recently last weekend it was photographing an outdoor wedding, and this weekend it is helping my aunt move with my non air conditioned truck... Where are those sitting in the pool afternoons?

[TheresaD]

11pm and the temperature outside has dropped to a chilly 80 degrees here in Connecticut. The worst part about the heat is that the humidity has come back in and the air is just plain heavy. We've had heat waves before here in New England and it never ceases to amaze me the number of folks I see outside jogging when they have a heat advisory in effect and are urging people to avoid exertion and stay hydrated. Haven't seen one jogger running with a water bottle yet! I'm not complaining about the heat though. While yes, it is hot, I'm fortunate enough to work in an airconditioned building. I drive a vehicle w/ AC. And have A/C in the house. It could be worse...I could be outside shoveling a couple feet of snow off my driveway. I'm going to enjoy the sunshine while we have it. Winter will be here before I know it and then I won't be able to go camping. I do feel bad for those folks that don't have the luxury of AC. Our state has opened up numerous public buildings like libraries and community centers into the evenings to serve as "cooling stations" so that people can get out of the heat. Hopefully some of the older folks etc. will take advantage of it.

[Mightydog]

Thanks for the post, CD.

This time last week, we were packing up from camping for a week. It was 55 and rain. Today, we're getting back to the mid-90's.

A Texan told me that experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Thanks for sharing your experience with hot days.

[caseydog]

11pm and the temperature outside has dropped to a chilly 80 degrees here in Connecticut.

That's a pretty normal summer night down here. That's why all us Texas teardroppers have AC units in our TDs. It's hard to sleep when it is in the 80s at night, often with no breeze.

That tropical depression in the Gulf just made landfall on the Texas-Mexico border, so we are cloudy here in my half of Texas. That's keeping our high temps in the 90s. There's an 80-percent chance of rain, too.

You mentioned AC in your car -- can you still buy a car without AC?

Another tip -- if you have a car with no AC, and move down here, sell the car before you move. You won't be able to give it away down here.

CD

[2bits]

I am amazed with the Classic cars that have no AC that are selling on eBay. I guess these guys want to drag race these classics but they won't ever even drive them. My classics will have AC as finances permit!

[TheresaD]

You mentioned AC in your car -- can you still buy a car without AC? CD

I didn't think about that CD... I don't know that you can buy one without AC. Since it's something I would never consider I guess I never looked!
Temps around here have dropped a bit and we've been seeing mostly temps in the mid to upper 90's.. Not bothering me though!! I'm heading out shortly to wash down the trailer. Can't do that comfortably when it's snowing!

[rebapuck]

Put out water bowls/baths for the wildlife. I'm having to fill my birdbaths twice daily. Poor little guys come in panting.

[Laredo]

all good advice. Don't forget the standard summer stuff -- sunblock, bug repellent.

Here's a tip that will mark you as "country" but make you very happy anyhow.

Park your car in the shade.

Leave a window down 1/3 to 1/2 inch on one side in the front and the opposite side in the back.

Do NOT leave animals or kids in the car even "just for a minute".

Now, if you don't live in humid country, wring a bandana out of cold water and wear it during exercise. It'll help keep your body temp down.

Wear a hat -- you'll want something with a high crown so it doesn't trap hot air next to your head, and you should have a wide brim for shade -- eyes, nose, ear-tops and the back of your neck, all at the same time.