Okay, you know what? Given that over the last week I have seen at least one of the common myths of "things you should not do in the heat" come over my dashboard, let us quickly go over this:
If it is hot, you will need to drink more than normally because you are sweating. You can drink too much, though usually your body knows how to regulate it.
Yes, if it is liquid and not alcoholic it counts to your drinking intake. Yes, drinking lemonades, coke and whatever counts. All of it is still mostly water with some sugar and flavors added. It is fine. Be careful about taking in too much caffeine though, as it is a mild diuretic (means it makes you pee more and hence lose more water).
Yes, you also need electrolytes as you sweat them out. But you do not need to drink sports drinks. Eat some yoghurt with fruits, or some watermelon with salt, or maybe cold soup. It will refill your electrolytes.
No, it is not dangerous for you to sleep in front of a ventilator. This is a complete myth that has absolutely no basis in science whatsoever and literally originates with an Urban Legend. Especially with the recent heat wave in Europe for a lot of people the alternative is the possibility of heat stroke. It is fine. Sleep in front of that ventilator. Just make sure you are not getting too cold.
No, using sunscreen does not stop you from taking in Vitamin D, unless you are permanently using super high standard sun screen and are reapplying it every 6 hours as intended. And let's face it: you are not. Your skin gets enough UVB to make Vitamin D, don't worry about it. Skin cancer is worse.
Yes, switching between a very hot outside and a very cold context (be it super high AC or just jumping into cold water) can be a danger for your cardiovascular system, though unless the weather is very hot or the water very cold making the contrast very extreme, it is normally not a danger to people who do not have otherwise issues with their cardiovascular system. Though being a bit careful and allowing yourself to acclimatize is not a bad idea in general.
Yes, you should definitely not leave any living thing in a car while it is hot. Just don't. Cars heat up while standing very quickly and will become a death trap. If you leave an animal or a child alone in the car for even just 5 to 10 minutes, they might die. Don't do that shit.
Yes, you need to be extra careful about your medications. For once, most medications are not meant to be stored at above 25°C (don't ask me what this is in American units). But also a bunch of medications - especially psychoactive medications - will make your body worth at temperature regulation. So be careful.
Yes, you need shadow. Ideally the shadow of trees, because there is indeed a difference between that and the shadow of a building. But any shadow is good, especially during extreme heat.
In the same vein: be also careful about drugs during heat waves - like, the recreational type. Some of them work differently when your body is warmed up like that. Just... ideally read up online on possible side effects that might occur/be worse if taken during the heat.
Generally speaking: stay hydrated. Stay cool. Try to do it as well as you can in your respective situation. Stay safe.
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Does it count as sexual harassment under Canadian law?
Hey Tumblrs. Unfortunately, some of the worst moments in your life may come down to a cold technicality in the eyes of the deciders. I hope this information never applies to you, but here's a super quick shorthand look at what their criteria are in case you need it. ❤️🩹🥰
1. Did it happen because of your sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression?
To legally count as sexual harassment, the behaviour has to be connected to one of these protected grounds. That means it happened because of your sex, gender, or sexuality – or it had a sexual nature, like sexual comments, touching, or propositions. If it had nothing to do with those things, it might still be considered harassment, but it wouldn’t qualify as sexual harassment under Canadian law.
2. Did you dislike it?
Judges try to figure out if the behaviour was unwelcome. In other words: did it make you unhappy, or did you wish it would stop? Did it offend or demean you, or make you feel shocked or abused? If you answered yes to any of those, a judge would likely see that as a sign the behaviour was harassment.
3. Would a “reasonable person” dislike it?
Judges try to figure out how an average or “reasonable” person would react to what happened. A judge might decide that most people wouldn't be too offended if a co-worker asked them out once, but would be if that same co-worker sent them porn.
4. How often did it happen and how serious was it?
In most cases, harassment has to happen more than once to count under the law. But if what happened was severe enough – like a boss threatening to fire you unless you had sex with them – one incident can be enough. Judges look at both how many times something happened and the seriousness of what happened.
Too Good to Go: app that connects you to grocery stores and restaurants that will sell you surplus food at cheaper prices.
Signal: Messaging app that erases messages after an amount of time, and allows images to be viewable once.
Taimi: an ĻGBṬ dating app that doesn't allow screenshots of messages and profiles to be taken.
Bandcamp: a great website for music artists, podcasters, and audiobook creators. They pay artists more of the profits than Spotify, and have Fridays dedicated to giving artists all of the profits from sales.
Proton: app that offers privacy and encryption for emails, VPNs, and a lot more.
Community Garden: an app that helps make community garden development easier.
Vero: an Instagram alternative that doesn't use algorithms, data mining, or advertisements. An alternative to go to when Instagram worsens in the upcoming years.
Hygiene Locator: a database for low-income people to find distribution sites giving away hygiene products.
Triller: a TikTok alternative to go to if TT outright bans certain topics.
Little Free Library: an app that locates little free libraries for you.
Evidation: it's a "health app" in which you collect points for activities like walking, but you can just complete their weekly and daily surveys. Basically, it's a beer-monęy app because you can only get $10 for 10,000 points, but if you have time to kill and need to earn extra cash in the upcoming eçonomic crash, evidation is an option.
Farmish: an app to help you locate your local farmer's market.
Boycat: an app that helps customers determine which brand is participating in unethical human rights violations and which isn't . It has recently partnered with the BDS movement!
Bluesky: You've already heard of it, right? It's an alternative to Twịtter, except it gives you the option to mass block MÅGÅ, genocide supporters, and the like. (My profile is itisiives, if you want to hang.)
Food Co-op Finder: As the name says, you can use this app to find your nearby food/grocery co-ops. Since co-ops mostly sell locally grown and made foods, this would be helpful in the looming deregulation of food safety.
The Dakota fire hole is a type of fire pit used by Native Americans, particularly the Dakota people. It is an efficient and easily concealed fire that burns clean, even in windy conditions. To create a Dakota fire hole, two holes are dug in the ground. One hole is vertical and is used to start the fire. The other hole is angled and connects to the bottom of the vertical hole, providing oxygen to the fire. This design allows the fire to burn hotter and cleaner than a traditional fire pit. Dakota fire holes are ideal for cooking and for staying hidden when a fire is not desired to be seen. 🤔
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Practical Tips for Surviving the Heat and Staying Cool: From someone who regularly works outdoors in 30°C/80°F plus temperatures
Stay hydrated (and drink water before you need it, not after)
The best way to avoid heatstroke is to stay hydrated, and the best way to stay hydrated is to drink water.
The more active you are in the heat, the more you'll sweat, and the more water you'll need to drink. There isn't an exact amount I can tell you because it varies with temperature and activity level and every body is different, but if you're doing anything more than just sitting - take a generous drink of water every 30 minutes at minimum. More if you're running around doing stuff.
If it's hot and you know you are going to be outside ahead of time, the first thing you should do when you wake up in the morning is drink a big glass of water. What kind of glass? I don't care as long as the container is roughly 8oz or more. You can drink it with your morning coffee or tea, and you'll likely need to pee like a racehorse after the fact, but it's better to start your day from 100% hydration levels, rather than trying to make up the difference after you've started sweating. If you start late, it's usually too late. So drink water early and often.
Invest in a reusable water bottle
I'm from Colorado. Reusable water bottles are a thing in Colorado because of our hot summers and the altitude. They come in tons of different styles and materials and sizes, you can put stickers on them if you want to decorate them, some of them are close to indestructible and can double as self-defense weapons in an emergency.
If you do not have a reusable water bottle, invest in one and take it with you everywhere. I never leave my house without a water bottle.
I really like stainless steel insulated ones because they do a good job of keeping liquids cold/hot regardless of what the temperature is outside. However, if you can't afford a bougie water bottle, any kind of container with a lid, that is leak proof, and that is convenient for you to carry will work. Buy bottled water and reuse the bottle until it breaks. Cleaned out milk jug or juice container? Sure. Recycled pickle jar? Okay, might have an aftertaste, but why not. One of your kid's sippy cups? Absolutely. Washed out wine bottle with a cork, hell yeah if you don't mind going old school and carrying a glass bottle around.
I still recommend some kind of water bottle that is insulated because it's way more refreshing to drink a cold beverages on a hot day, but your body does not care if the water you're drinking is ice cold, is lukewarm, or tastes slightly like pickles. Water is water.
And always having water accessible to you when it's hot out is crucial for staying hydrated.
Electrolytes
Plain ol' water is still the best in terms of hydration, but beverages with electrolytes can save your ass. Especially, if like me, you work outside or have to work in a building that has limited AC. Electrolyte beverages are not a replacement for water, and the average person should not be consuming more than one in a 24hr period, but they can help you stay hydrated for longer. Gatorade, Powerade, Pedialyte etc. (I don't know what other brands are available elsewhere in the world, but wherever you are there's probably something locally available.)
Powdered electrolyte supplements are really popular in the USA right now too, and there are a variety of options available. Liquid IV has been a game changer for me. They're powder packets that I can take on the go, mix up in my reusable water bottle whenever I need it, and I can buy a 30 pack at Costco for $28 which is cheaper than an ambulance ride for heatstroke because healthcare in the USA sucks.
Avoid excessive amounts of salt, caffeine, and alcohol
Speaking of salt, avoid eating ultra processed and super salty foods in large quantities. Some salt is good (I <3 pickles), but too much and you'll just feel gross when it's hot out, it can exacerbate the effects of dehydration, and you're body is probably gonna desire a freakishly large amount of water after which you may not be able to provide.
While you don't necessarily need to cut out all caffeine and alcohol consumption, keep in mind that they're both diuretics, will make you pee more, and will not assist you in staying hydrated.
Clothing: keep it light and keep it loose
Sorry to you goths and alternative babes out there, but light colored and loose clothing is best in a heatwave. Lighter colors help reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption. Loose and thinner fabrics promote better air circulation than form-fitting clothes, and help facilitate evaporative cooling better. As for material, doesn't really make that much of a difference, you can go synthetic or natural. It's personal preference and whatever is available. Sweaty wet fabric is sweaty wet fabric.
Stay out of the sun, and, if you can't find shade, make your own
I live on the shortgrass prairie, so shade is naturally nonexistent out here and I'm used to being fully blasted by the rays of the sun at 6,000 ft above sea level. If you are not used to the heat though, do whatever you can to stay out of the sun, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Stay inside if you can. Shade can offer as much a 10° difference in temperature or more. Avoid loitering in areas with full sun exposure and lots of impermeable surfaces, such as parking lots. Green spaces are cooler than concrete and asphalt.
If you have limited access to shade, wide brim hats and umbrellas provide mobile options.
Be a wet blanket
If you have a spare bandanna, neck scarf, kitchen towel, hand towel, literally any piece of scrap fabric, wet the fabric and lay it across the back of your neck. Repeat if needed once the fabric starts drying. It might clash with your fashion style and you may have water marks on your shirt, but it'll help cool you off.
Sweating is good for you
You're gonna be sweaty. Sweating is how your body stays cool enough to regulate body temperature. It also may be a little stinky. Embrace being sweaty and appreciate it for what it does. If you're sweating a lot, drink more water!
Humidity is not your friend
It's typically bone-dry where I live, I don't know how people in tropical locations do it, but y'all do. Higher levels humidity mean your sweat isn't at efficient at cooling because it has nowhere to go in the air. There's not really a fix for this point, but be advised. It does feel hotter where it's more humid.
Recognize and become familiar with the signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke
I've experienced all three of these things at some point of my life, and I can tell you none of them are fun. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are what are essentially steps 1 and 2 before you get to heatstroke. If you are able to stay hydrated, you can avoid all of these. Heatstroke is considered a medical emergency, so if you or anyone starts experiencing the symptoms of heatstroke call emergency services, get indoors/to shade, and do whatever you can to cool the person off.
Heat exhaustion symptoms: cool/moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat, heavy sweating, faintness, dizziness, fatigue, weak pulse, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, nausea, headache
Heatstroke symptoms: core body temperature of 40°C/104°F or higher; changes in mental state including faintness, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma; changes in sweating pattern, nausea and vomiting, flush skin, rapid breathing, high heart rate, headache
Cooling your spaces
If you have AC or live in a basement dungeon, great, your living space is probably already cool enough that you don't have to worry about the night sweat demons. I'm lucky that I have AC now, but I also spent 20 years leaving in a house that didn't have it.
If you do not have any kind of AC or other cooling system, what you can do is going to vary a lot on the setup. Urban areas tend to be hotter than rural areas due to the heat island effect, a lot of older buildings either have no insulation or too much along with not being well designed for ventilation, and you might not have the funds to get a portable AC unit. However, three key things:
Do whatever you can to keep light and heat out of your space during the hottest part of the day. Easiest thing is to cover your windows. They are transparent and thinner than your walls. White/light colored drapes/fabrics will reflect light, a second set of drapes/fabric will provide additional insulation. Blinds can sometimes work depending on how thick they are. In a pinch cardboard will work too.
Cool the inside as much as you can at night. If you can, wait to open windows until the sun goes down. Close your windows before the mercury starts rising again.
Air circulation. Fans or anything you can do to get the air moving. If you live in a space where you can open windows on opposite sides, you may be able to get a cross breeze going.
If you can't cool your spaces, seek shelter
More and more places have started setting up cooling centers and stations, but if you're dwelling is too hot to hang out in during the day, look for community or third spaces where you can hang out that do have AC and that don't mind you being there for a while. Libraries, coffee shops, bookstores, museums, movie theaters, shopping malls, IKEA, whatever - get creative and find a place where you can stay cool.
Embrace the siesta
If you are able to, avoid high-intensity activities and being outside between 11am-7pm, the hottest part of the day. Do things early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are milder and when you won't get fully roasted by the sun. Chill out, rest, take a nap, don't over exert yourself.
If you have to be outside or do stuff during these times, do it at your own pace, take breaks, and a lot of the above tips will also help.
It's personal
This period of climate change we're experiencing is humankind's largest catastrophe of our own making. And I can blame it on something, which is the fossil fuel industrial complex. So, yeah, vote, harangue your local politicians, advocate for public transit and denser housing, preserve, conserve, and expand nature and open spaces, do whatever you can to hobble big oil.
P.S. I know this is fucking long post, but hopefully that was helpful. I know this all has similar points to just about every other article out there related to heatwaves. Everyone says stay hydrated and no one explains actual best practices for doing so, which if TL:DR - my first three points above the cut. Don't ask me why I suddenly felt compelled to write this long ass PSA, but I did.
