Cities from coast to coast are buckling under the epic heat wave that has produced record shattering temperatures of 100° and hotter during June and July.  And since there seems to be no relief on the horizon, we thought we’d post these 10 easy suggestions on how to beat the heat wave of Summer 2012:

• Sun Block!  No, not the kind you slather on your skin, although if you’re planning to spend time in the sun, that’s not a bad idea.  But you also want to block the sun’s rays from beaming into the house.  Before you leave home in the morning, shut the blinds, shades or curtains.  If some of your windows don’t have coverings try hanging a white or light colored sheet over them to block the sun.   If your property doesn’t have mature trees that can provide shade, you might also want to look into installing awnings over the windows that take the most direct rays from the sun.
• A/C Efficiency – Do It Yourself!  If your house has central air conditioning, you’ll need to do a little routine maintenance on your unit to ensure that it’s functioning at peak efficiency.  Now, I know what you’re thinking.  “Moi?  Fix the A/C?”   Sure, it’s easy!  Check out this short Air Conditioner Maintenance video from HouseSmarts DIY.  If your house is not air conditioned, try making your own.  Here’s how.  Place two frozen liter-sized water bottles in a bowl in front of a fan.  Turn the fan on and sit or lie down in front of it.  As the ice in the bottles melts, the air around them cools and the fan blows that cool air onto you. 
• Shut Out!  Be sure to close your windows during the extreme heat of the day.  It’s a good idea also to check and make sure the damper of your fireplace is closed so that the warm air doesn’t get sucked inside.  Go ahead and open them back up in the evening after the sun has gone down.  If you can, try to open your windows strategically so as to set up cross breezes through the house.  Also be sure to install window safety guards to prevent break-ins through your open windows.
• Turn It Off!  Most everything that runs on electricity generates heat – your TV, computer, oven, dishwasher, clothes dryer, coffee maker, and lights.  Do yourself a favor and avoid turning any of these on during the heat of the day.  Allow your clothes and your dishes to air dry.  Don’t cook in the oven (easy enough for me); instead use the microwave to heat food.  Read a book or a magazine instead of watching TV or playing a video game.
• Eat, Drink and Be Cool!  Opt for cold meals on the hottest days.  Eat lots of fresh and juicy fruits such as grapes, watermelons, oranges, and peaches.  Indulge in frozen treats like ice cream, frozen yogurt and custard.  Anything mint flavored creates a cooling sensation and believe it or not, spicy foods will help you chill too because they increase bodily perspiration, which cools you down as it evaporates.  Drink lots of cold water (at least 8 oz per hour), which is always good for you.
• Cool Threads!  Dress for the hot weather, or don’t dress at all if you can get away with it.  The fewer clothes on your body, the cooler you’ll be.  If you absolutely must don a layer of clothing, dress in light colored, loosely woven fabrics such as cotton or silk unless you’re opting for “performance fabrics” designed to keep the skin cool and dry.
• Get Wet!  This may be the simplest strategy to beating the summer heat and the possibilities are endless.  Find a body of water and jump in.   Enjoy the myriad of water sports and recreational activities that are available close to your home.  Ever heard of SUPing?  Read all about it in Presley’s post later this week.  Or just go swimming.  If you don’t have access to a body of water, get wet using your bathtub, shower, wading pool, sprinkler or hose.  Use a mister or a regular old squirt bottle and spritz yourself every 20 minutes or so.  Wet your t-shirt and let it air dry or soak a bandana in cold water and wear it around your neck.  Try like I did today and soak your feet in a public fountain (even though the sign said “Keep Out”) and you’ll cool down considerably.
• Hide Inside!  Enjoy the cool air inside the library or coffee shop, the mall, museum, church or movie theater.
• Chill Out with a Good Read or DVD!  “Think cold” by reading all about it or watching it on your flat screen.  Good choices are:
  • Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg
  • The Shining
  • Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
  • Fargo
  • Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
  • Inception
  • Icebound by Dean Koontz
  • The Day After Tomorrow
  • Anything by Dana Stabenow or Sue Henry
  • Happy Feet
  • Snow Angels by Stewart O’Nan
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• Cool Your ZZZZs!  Bring a couple of ice bags to bed with you to cool you down as you’re trying to fall asleep.  If the heat continues throughout the night, try this trick with several ice bags, rotating them in and out of the freezer as you awaken because of the heat.  You might also try placing a small pillow in the freezer a couple of hours prior to retiring and bringing that to bed with you.

Do you have a suggestion for beating the summer heat?  Tell us all about it by clicking on the “Leave a Comment” link in the title box above!