When the temperature climbs, here are some tips that will help you stay cooler and safer
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1. Cool your body: Your body dumps heat fastest through pulse points. Run cold water over your wrists for 30 seconds, and press a damp cloth on the back of your neck
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2. Hydration: Dehydration makes you feel hotter. Don't wait until you're thirsty. Aim for a glass of water every hour when it's over 32°C/90°F
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3. Use fan wisely: Put a bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle in front of the fan. Create a cross-breeze by opening two windows on opposite sides and placing one fan blowing out
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4. Dressing: Wear loose, light-coloured long-sleeved clothes. Tight synthetic clothes trap heat and sweat against the skin
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5. Diet: Your body generates heat by digesting heavy, fatty meals. Swap it for foods with high water content: watermelon, cucumber, oranges, curd, and salads
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6. Block the heat: Close curtains or blinds on sun-facing windows by 10 am. Blackout curtains on the glass can drop the room temp by several degrees
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7. Know the danger signs: If you stop sweating, get confused, or your skin turns hot/dry, that's heat stroke - call for help and get cool immediately