Keep Cool Amid New York's Longest Heatwave in Nearly a Decade

by M. C. Millman 

As we enter day seven of New York's longest-lasting heat wave in nearly a decade with near record-level temperatures, the search is on for ways to keep your cool. 

One of the most important ways to stay safe during high temperatures is to monitor water intake and stay as hydrated as possible, as it's natural to lose more water when it's hot. Drinking water or electrolyte-heavy fluids is critical to avoiding extreme dehydration, which can lead to organs like kidneys to start shutting down.

Drinking excessive alcohol, on the other hand, can make people more likely to suffer from heat exhaustion and dehydration. Alcohol also affects some of the ways a body cools itself and should therefore be avoided during prolonged exposure to heat. 

Staying indoors during a heat wave, preferably in an air-conditioned location, is highly recommended, given that prolonged exposure to heat or extreme temperatures affects the body's ability to regulate heat. As a result, sweating, the body's natural cooling mechanism, becomes ineffective. 

For those with central air, keeping the thermostat set to a temperature throughout the day that doesn't vary more than 10 to 15 degrees will keep the a.c. from overloading while decreasing costs.

Making use of fans, either ceiling fans or box fans is an excellent way to get added relief from the heat while conserving energy at the same time. Running ceiling fans counterclockwise pushes air down to the floor and can create a cooler breeze. Using fans in tandem with your air conditioner is another way to increase your a.c's ability to cool the room more efficiently and at a lower cost. While staying hydrated is one of the crucial points to keep in mind during hot weather, there are other ways to stay cool and safe during an ongoing heat wave.

Wearing light clothes of thinner material while working outside when required will prevent direct exposure of skin to the sun. Being covered will also help absorb sweat away from your skin, making you cooler while you work. 

The Department of Energy reports that intelligent management of window coverings, which means keeping windows covered during the heat of the day, can reduce the heat in a home by up to 77%. Blackout or light-colored curtains with plastic backings will prevent unwanted heat from filtering into the room.

Opening interior doors around the house allows cooling airflow, while closing doors to rooms with many windows will keep the heat down. 

While the present heat wave seems overwhelming, New York City has seen hotter and longer heatwaves.   The longest heat wave in New York City history took place at the end of August 1953 and lasted for 12 days.