We”™re in the dog days of summer, which actually began on July 3 and run through Aug. 11. These are generally the hottest days in the Northern Hemisphere, thanks largely to the Earth”™s tilt toward the summer. (They have nothing to do, as the ancient Greeks and Romans thought, with the rising of Sirius, the dog star, but the phrase “dog days” has stuck.)
Robison, the Port Chester-based home comfort company, has these tips for keeping cool:
- If possible, stay out of the sun and avoid extreme temperatures and strenuous activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use fans and/or air conditioning or seek a cooling center.
- Drink lots of water, rest and locate shade if you are working outdoors or if your work is strenuous.”¯
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing when inside without air conditioning or outside.
- Drink fluids, particularly water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool.
- Take a cool bath or shower or go swimming. (Many find, though, that a warm bath is more effective at releasing heat through the extremities. It sounds counterintuitive, but it does work.)
- Be sure your pets and children have access to plenty of water, especially when it is hot.
- Never leave your children, pets or the elderly and disabled in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
- Check on your neighbors during a heatwave, especially if they are seniors, young children and people with disabilities and functional needs.
- Know the warning signs of heat illness and call 911 if someone has hot, dry skin; trouble breathing; rapid heartbeat; confusion, disorientation or dizziness; nausea and vomiting.
