12 Jan 2009

Centrum tip – Beat the summer heat

Summer in South Africa is no laughing matter. Everyone knows that sinking feeling when temperatures in the 30+ region are forecast. So what can you do, besides waiting for winter with bated breath? Quite a lot actually.

Take action:
Organise your trips to meetings and shops for the early morning, before the real heat sets in; keep a bottle with partly frozen water in your bag or in the car – and drink as much as possible; wear natural fabrics – cotton allows your skin to breathe, unlike synthetic materials such as nylon; invest in a mosquito net and bars for your bedroom window or outside door, so that you can sleep with the doors or windows open; put a large plastic container of cold water in front of your fan – this will bring down the temperature; in an emergency, wrap wet towels round your feet or put on a damp garment.