Heat Wave 2022: 10 Gadgets To Help Make It Through

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Heat Wave 2022 is not over yet.

In July, the Pacific Northwest – land of rain and lush forests – is fighting temperatures that are 10 t0 15 degrees above average. Parts of Europe experienced devastating fires, and other regions of the United Kingdom had their driest July in almost 200 years.

It’s now August, and the heat shows no signs of letting up. The National Weather Service expects more record-breaking temperatures in the Northwest this week, with heat advisories in Texas and for parts of the Midwest and East Coast. Unfortunately, climate change will likely make these seasonal events a dangerous new normal – extreme heat can kill if people are caught off guard.

Air conditioning seems to be the simplest solution to these woes, but not everyone has it – in colder parts of the country, such as the Pacific Northwest, it is not always considered necessary. And anyone with a limited budget may not have the funds to upgrade. Plus, even if you have air conditioning, half the fun of summer is spending time outside.

Here is a short list of things that will be available for the coming days, whether it is Heat Wave 2022 or Heat Wave 2023 and the ones that are set to follow it.

Stay Hydrated With Cold Water:

No surprises here – maintaining a steady intake of water is the key to beating the heat. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who work in a sweaty outdoors should aim to drink 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes. And if it’s ice cold water, even better. That’s where insulated bottles like these are lifesavers.

These Zulu water bottles claim to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. A removable base allows users to easily add ice cubes as needed – and it also comes in handy for cleaning. One Amazon customer quipped that the only thing wrong with the bottle is that it doesn’t come with GPS tracking – if you lose it, you just have to buy a new one!

Wear Cooling Fabrics:

Whether you are indoors or outdoors, your outfit affects your comfort. Opt for fabrics designed to wick away moisture, such as Nike’s Dri-Fit. (Other brands have their own versions, such as Under Armour’s Iso-Chill and Champion’s Double Dry.)

If the occasion calls for more fashion and less practicality, choose clothes in light colors that fit well to allow air circulation.

Add a ‘Cool’ Accessory:

This affordable cooling wrap works like the opposite of a winter scarf: Tie it around your neck to help stay refreshed in the withering heat. The wrap cools down by soaking for 20 minutes in cold water before use. The polymer beads inside trap the cold for about an hour, then the wearer can give it another dip in water or a spritz of cold water to refresh.

At about $9 each, they’re a great option for the whole family — and they come in tons of colors and designs, too.

Stay Cool Overnight:

Those little moments of chill really count in summer, even when the sun is out. Amazon customers are big fans of these cool sheets made with organic viscose bamboo.

One reviewer, Denise, wrote a five-star review, saying the sheets were “cool and refreshing” and “stayed cool all night.” Another customer, Estelle, wrote that she washed it and returned it to the bed – adding that she only regrets buying one set.

Bring a Portable Fan:

This sturdy little guy is a great companion for any summer, but especially for the temps we’re experiencing in Heat Wave 2022. HandFan’s Portable Misting Fan holds enough water to produce a mist of 40 minutes at a time, or you can steam. -free in three different speeds. The fan also has three configurations: Handheld, desktop or hanging, through its metal clip. It’s rechargeable too!

“This is an amazing fan,” wrote Amazon reviewer Doug. “I’ve had many portable fans like this and this is the best… This is definitely the most powerful fan I’ve seen of this type.”

Seal Your Home:

When a series of hot days arrive, consider closing any gaps in windows and exterior doors with weather stripping.

This easy-to-use foam insulation helps stop warm air from entering your home — and keeps that precious cool air from escaping. Cut it to size, then stick the tape in place. Boom. Done.

Reducing Indoor Overheating:

Running clothes dryers, even on a “cool” setting, can add unwanted heat inside your home in the summer. Give your home – and the grid – a break and try using a clothesline or drying rack, like this foldable one from Jauree, to air your laundry. If you’re worried about the clothes getting stiff, place the drying rack outside to let the air move the clothes, or let them air dry for a few minutes before hanging.

Of course, you can wear your Koolgator around your neck while you hang! It’s very cruel out there, after all.

Prevent Your Car From Becoming An Oven:

As nice as it is to stay locked in the air conditioning all summer long, sometimes you have to get out in the heat. This Amazon bestseller will help prevent your car from becoming a mobile pizza oven, hopefully saving you a little gas because your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to pay for it.

The foldable shade has a storage pouch to keep things tidy when not in use. It also comes in eight sizes to fit a variety of windshields — up to a 51-by-102-inch shade made for RVs.

Add Air Conditioner to Your Car:

People in the back seat of a car usually don’t get the kind of intense air conditioning that the front passengers do Keep those passengers comfortable with these headrest mounted fans that supplement car AC .

Powered by the car’s 12-volt charging port (aka where the cigarette lighter used to be), the fans can spin and have a small, handheld controller to adjust fan speed. The set also has small clamps to tidy up the power cable and avoid a cluttered look.

Prepare For Blackouts:

When temps rise, energy demands rise with them. People crank up the air conditioning at home and work, and when the power grid is overloaded, blackouts can occur. That’s why it’s important to keep a reliable flashlight on hand. This “super-bright” flashlight runs on three AAA batteries and has an adjustable beam.

Amazon customers also love it, giving it an overall 4.5-star rating from more than 21,000 reviews.

Do you feel prepared for heat wave 2022, or any heat wave after?