How students can cope at home during a heatwave
With UK temperatures reaching up to 39 degrees, we’ve got together some tips on how students can cope at home during a heatwave…
If you have air-con – use it sparingly
Air con is a luxury that most students won’t have, but if you find yourself lucky enough to have one be sure to set the time, so it only comes on for a short period of time. This will limit the extra costs that air con incurs. Also, make sure the coolness isn’t too cold, as this can lead to sinus issues.
When to open and close blinds and windows
Keep blinds closed in all rooms to create an extra layer to keep the heat out. Then, open the blinds and windows and use the breeze outside to cool the rooms. This method works best with cross ventilation, where you have windows opened on both sides of the home so the air can flow through and out of the house.
Use fans!
Sounds like an obvious one but the circulating air will help to keep the room and house cool and is a super easy, low-cost way to keep cool during a heatwave.
Limit appliance usage
Try to limit when you are using white goods such as dishwashers, washing machines, ovens or tumble dryers. Having these on in the middle of the day will increase the overall temperature of the house. If you need to use them the best time is early morning or later in the evening.
Stay Healthy
Always stay hydrated and be aware of heat exhaustion, some of the symptoms are:
- Feeling faint or dizzy
- Excessive sweating
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Muscle cramps
- Treat these symptoms by drinking water and cooling your body with a fan or AC or by placing an ice/gel pack on the back of your neck.
Heat Stroke symptoms are more serious such as:
- Throbbing headache
- No sweating
- Red, hot, dry skin
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Loss of consciousness
If you experiencing any of these symptoms, call 999 or seek medical attention right away.