How to Stay Cool and Safe During a Heatwave Without Air Conditioning

Since more global warming is taking place, heatwaves pose more danger and occur more often, especially in already warm areas. More fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are burnt to produce more heat. Overheating annoys but also kills, primarily among the vulnerable human classes like children, the elderly, and the sick.

We need to be careful where heat is hazardous. Heat danger is not only a child of temperature but also cloud, humidity, and wind. Although Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) gives the best approximation considering all these, the heat index, used by most packages, is a metric that is temperature- and humidity-based. For example, a 32°C heat day in Phoenix might be more safe than a hot rain day at 27°C in Little Rock. The reading of 36°C and relative humidity of 45% is in the "danger" class for hard labor or exposure all day, as reported by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Overnight heat has considerable health risk impact. In case the temperatures at night are above 24°C, the body will not get an opportunity to recover and individuals also become more vulnerable to heat disease the next day. Overnight warm temperature has correlations with reduced labor productivity, higher emergency room admission, and in extreme situation, heat stroke and mortality.

Availability of air-conditioning is most likely the optimal way of cooling. But it is not feasible for everyone to air-condition a whole house. Under such circumstances, making a "cool corner" within the house, particularly for sleeping, will bring relief. It will enable the body to get accustomed more comfortably to day-time temperature. Individuals dwelling in dry regions can also use evaporative coolers, which work on the mechanism of cooling by evaporation of water. These won't be effective in warm, humid environments, however, where plain electric fans do a better job.

Without air conditioning in their own homes, people are pushed indoors in public buildings like shopping malls, libraries, or cinemas, which usually feature working cooling systems. There are special cooling centers in some cities during heat waves too. In the US, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and some local charities can possibly help families with the cost of cooling appliances like window air conditioners.

Heatwave work safety is also an issue. The United States does not have a federal law to keep workers outside of the heat, yet California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota, and Maryland each created their own. Knowledge of these protections is important, particularly with uneven enforcement and employees certainly going to have trouble sleeping or finding shade. More times than not, no break taking alternatives or deducting wages stops employees from breaking when they want to.

Hydration is prevention of heat illness as well. Field workers and exercisers have to drink more water and take breaks in air-conditioned or cooled environments during hottest heat hours of the day. Cold compress on armpit, neck, feet, and hands or damp clothing can provide the body opportunity to shed its heat as well. Cooling vests or hand fans are products that provide extra relief in heat. 

Early recognition of heat-related illness is important. Excessive sweating, cramp, and headache are warning signs. Mild action—e.g., moving to a cool place or splashing body water—is enough to avoid it from occurring. If warnings are not heeded, symptoms become heat exhaustion, and the latter is characterized by dizziness, palpitations, and lethargy. Avoiding treatment leads to heat stroke, and it is followed by confusion, slurred speech, and syncope. In either of such a situation, seek immediate medical care.

Because the heat waves become hotter and more intense, education and planning on a community basis will be required. Knowing where to go for cooling shelter, pre-planning, and preparedness can all reduce the impact of heatwaves. Short-term, when long-term climate change planning is delayed, public and individual health measures for short-term response to mitigate rising hazard from the heat can be accessed.

Source:
2025 The Associated Press