As Delhi Simmers At 43 Degrees, Here Are Some Tips To Prepare For The Heat Wave

Delhi witnessed the first severe heat wave of the year on Tuesday with the maximum temperature at Safdarjung Observatory, considered the official marker for the city, rising to 43 degrees Celsius, the highest this year so far.

And with the monsoon keeping away from Delhi and nearby areas, more hot days are likely to trouble residents in the national capital, IMD said on Wednesday. So, here are some tips to protect, prevent and prepare for the heat-wave conditions.

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1. Check your air conditioning

The best protection against heat-related illness is air conditioning, according to the US' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If your home is air-conditioned, you can get the most out of it by making sure the unit is working properly before the weather heats up. You can hire a professional to maintain it each year, or do it yourself. Be sure to turn off the unit before checking it.

2. In case of no ACs

If you don't have air conditioning, you can help keep your home cool by doing the following:

• Turn on ceiling fans and portable fans while you're in a room. You should turn them off when you leave the room or if no one else is in the room to feel the airflow.
• Make sure the ceiling fan is turning counterclockwise as you look up at it so it moves cooler air down instead of upward.
• However, if the temperature is above 32 degress, the National Weather Service warns that you shouldn't let the air from fans blow directly toward you because it can quickly dehydrate you.

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3. Use cool water

Fill buckets or basins and soak your feet. Wet towels and bandannas can have a cooling effect when worn on the shoulders or head. Take cool showers or baths, and consider using a spray bottle filled with cold water for refreshing spritzes throughout the day.

4. Shield the windows

• To prevent the sun from heating your home, you should keep blinds and other window coverings closed during the day.
• Find out the amount of direct sunlight your home receives at different times of the day, so you know which rooms contribute the most to heat build-up from direct sunlight. Shield the windows in those rooms accordingly.
• To help deflect heat away from your home, United States Department of Homeland Security suggests covering your windows with a reflector, such as cardboard covered with aluminum foil.

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5. Eliminate extra sources of heat

Incandescent light bulbs can generate unnecessary heat, as can computers or appliances left running. Eat fresh foods that do not require you to use the oven or stove to prepare. Don't eat large, protein-rich meals that can increase metabolic heat and warm the body. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine, as both of these substances can act as diuretics and promote dehydration.

6. Keep yourself hydrated

It's important to stay hydrated during a heat wave. Drinking water helps replace the fluids you lose through sweating, which is your body's way of keeping you cool as the perspiration evaporates on your skin. Drinking refrigerated water may have the double benefit of providing hydration while cooling you off.

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7. Recognise heat-related illnesses

Be able to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and true heat emergencies (heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, heat stroke).

8. Stay indoors

Overall, staying inside your air-conditioned home is the safest place to be during a heat wave. This is especially true for children under age four, and older people over age 65, as they are at a higher risk for heat-related illness.

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How to stay safe if stepping outside

But, if you must go outside, here are some additional ways to stay safe and comfortable when the temperature rises:

• Wear loose-fitting, light-colored, and lightweight cotton or moisture-wicking clothing to help keep cool.
• If you want to exercise outdoors, do it early in the morning or an hour before sunset ¡ª avoid strenuous activity between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures are highest.
• Take a cool shower or bath. You can also place ice packs on your head and armpits to help lower your temperature.
• Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows cracked open. The temperature inside can rise to a dangerous level within just a few minutes.