Top 5 Coolest Ways to Keep Cool

WHEW. It’s quite hot out, isn’t it? Today is the summer solstice, which means it’s the longest day of the year and the official start of summer! We’ve got plenty of warm days ahead of us.

But wait, Earth Rangers, don’t turn on that air conditioner! Most air conditioners use a huge amount of electricity, contributing to pollution and carbon emissions. Why not try some eco-friendly ways to keep cool? It Here are some cool ways to fight the heat:

Close your windows, curtains and blinds

Having your windows open in summer when it’s hot outside can really heat up your home. If it’s hotter outside then inside, make sure to close your windows, curtains, and blinds in the morning. Once the sun has set and temperatures are starting to go down, open everything up again and let the cool night air come charging in!

Use fans correctly

Fans help circulate air around a room. This can make the space feel cooler through “wind chill”, even though it doesn’t actually lower the room’s temperature. In fact, the motor of the fan is more likely to create heat.

Using fans correctly is important to enjoy a nice cool home. Place the fan in the coolest spot of your home and use it to push that cool air into other areas. Putting your fan in front of the open windows in the evening is perfect for blowing in cooler air (or pushing the hot air out). You can also place a large bowl of ice in front of the fan to create a cold airflow.

TIP: Do not leave a fan unattended. If you’re going to leave the room it is in, it is better to turn it off.

Enjoy cold drinks and snacks

Staying hydrated is super important during hot weather. Cold water will help cool your body off, but why stop there? You can enjoy some cold snacks as well. Chilled watermelon, frozen grapes, refreshing cucumber slices, or even homemade popsicles with water and frozen fruit! The perfect cold combo!

Say NO to using the oven, and try cool food!

Using the oven will heat your home up from the inside, making it even harder to cool off. If you need to use the oven, do it in the evening when you can open windows to let the hot air out and cool air in. But, why not try cool meals instead? Recipes like our Meatless Lettuce Wraps don’t use the oven, and are quite fun to make!

Cool your hands, face and feet

Your head, hands and feet are key parts of your body’s own cooling system. Try not to let them get hot by avoiding wearing socks or a hat inside. If you do feel too hot, cool your head with a cold cloth or icepack. Soak your feet in a bucket of cold water. Take a cold bath or shower (brrrr!).

You can also have fun cooling down outside by going for a swim, getting wet with Reusable Water Balloons, or playing a game of Spongy Keepy-Uppy and Hungry Snake and Hoppy Frogs.

Which is these ideas do you think you’ll use to keep cool? One, two, or all of them?!
Let us know in the comments!

Check out our other Reset the ‘stat blogs:

Did you know that turning up your thermostat in the summer and down in the winter can actually help slow down climate change? Learn more in the Re-set the ‘stat Mission in the Missions section of the Earth Rangers App!