SuppliedEvery winter, we wish for the sun to come back. Then summer comes, and we sweat on our couches and beg for cooler temperatures. We want to turn on the air conditioning (AC), but a lot of homes don’t have AC, or the relief is not worth the energy bill.
No matter how you spend your summer, it is important to take care of yourself. Drinking water is the most important way to stay safe in the heat, but the Government of Canada has outlined other ways to stay safe in the sun.
It may be warm, but luckily, there are many ways to beat the heat without draining our wallets. Here are my five favourite ways to stay cool.
1. Popsicles and barbecues!
When summer starts, we roast in the heat, even if we wear sunscreen and hats. But, staying inside is not always the best choice. If we stay in our homes and cook with the oven, it can become hotter inside than outside.
Hotdogs. Burgers. Roast vegetables. There are so many delicious options that don’t require an oven. This is the perfect time to turn on the barbecue. And better yet, grab a popsicle for dessert.
2. Take a walk in Edmonton’s favourite show home: IKEA
IKEA is the place with the best meatballs, the most ways to get lost, and the perfect place to stay cool. Invite a friend and pretend to decorate your dream home.
We may not always have AC at home, but that doesn’t stop us from using free AC elsewhere. And, you are not limited to exploring IKEA. Malls, like Londonderry Mall and the Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre, are a great place to take a walk in the heat.
The TELUS World of Science also provides wonderful ways to spend a hot afternoon and learn.
3. Play board games in the basement
Not everyone has access to a cool basement, but if you do, invite your friends over to play board games. Finals are over. This is a great way to catch up over a competitive game of Monopoly.
But be warned: as soon as someone flips the table, it’s time to stop buying hotels and face the heat.
4. Wind in doubt, use a fan
AC is sometimes inaccessible, but fans are cheap ways to keep comfortable. Window fans can circulate air, and work well in small spaces. To improve your fan’s efficiency, close doors to rooms you aren’t using.
Natural Resources Canada also suggests that when you are outside, enjoying the sunshine, you can close your blinds and turn off the lights to cool down your home for when you come back. Then open your windows at night when it is cool.
5. Have fun with a classic
Have a water fight! Pull out the sprinklers and water guns. We are never too old to dump a bucket of water on our best friend’s heads. Isn’t that why the ice bucket challenge is trending again? That, and it’s for a good cause.
Water fights are a classic, but there are many other fun water games, including water relays and races.
The sun is shining. Have fun!
