Keeping Cool when it's Hot

We have been blessed with some gorgeous June weather but I am glad that our time in the USA also taught us how to stay comfortable in such high temperatures.

The first thing to do is open up the house night and morning to let the cool in, we also keep all the doors open during the day to let any breezes circulate. All the curtains on the sunny side of the house are closed to stop the sun heating up the house and jugs of cool water are kept in the fridge. Cold water is much more thirst quenching than fizzy drinks. A jug of iced tea or coffee is good too.

At night we open all the curtains to let the heat out but close the windows before we put the lights on to stop bugs flying in. Getting wet with a hose or puddling pool is good for little ones but remember no more than half an hour in the sun without sunscreen.

We do without sunscreen by wearing hats and long sleeves and trousers in light fabrics if we have to be out and about. However, we try not to be out between 11am and 4pm but do our jobs early in the morning or later in the evening as the nights are so light. A wet flannel on the back of the neck cools you down quickly if you need it. A siesta can be nice during those times, especially as it may be hard to sleep at night.

Roll down car windows if it's safe and use a windscreen shield to stop the car getting too hot too. Also please remember about pets, neighbours of ours put out a bowl of water during hot weather to help all those furry dogs out for a walk !

Most of all enjoy the lovely weather by getting out in it for at least half an hour a day to top of those Vitamin D levels for free !