How To Keep Cool During A Summer Power Outage

It is impossible to control when your home will lose power, but it always seems to happen at the worst possible time. Power outages are common after horrible winter storms and also on the hottest and wettest days of the year. If you lose power in the summertime, the heat can become unbearable and downright dangerous without electricity. There are, however, several ways to keep cool when your power goes out in the summer.

If your power goes out in the summer, you can keep cool by staying in the shade, keeping the heat out of your home during the day, and opening your windows at night. You can use an inflatable pool, sprinklers, or even a simple mister to cool off. Try to avoid unnecessary physical activity and time in the sun, and try not to use the stove or oven to cook.

A power outage in the middle of a summer heat wave can feel like an overwhelming and horrible inconvenience. There are a lot of things you need to consider, including keeping your food and belongings safe in the heat. You also need to make sure you take care of yourself and stay cool as much as possible. Below is a list of some of the best ways to stay cool when you lose power on a hot summer day.

12 Ways To Stay Cool During A Summer Power Outage

1. Use An Inflatable Pool Or Sprinkler

When you lose power, you might not have an air conditioner, but you might still have access to running water. Most power outages might affect electric water pumps in the home, but your hose water that is directly connected to the water supply should still be functional.

If you have a kiddie pool or inflatable pool, now is the time to use it. You can also use the sprinklers that you use to water your garden as a fun way to help cool you off during the day. Make sure your power outage is not linked to a sewage leak, and confirm you are not under a boil water order before swimming in water during a power outage.

2. Mist Yourself

If you don’t have great water pressure, a kiddie pool, or even a yard, there is another way you can use water. Find a mister that you would use to water orchids or air plants, or use to wet your hair. Fill it with cool tap water and mist yourself periodically. This will have an immediate cooling effect on you.

3. Utilize Your Existing Shade

If you have a screened-in porch, a covered patio, or even a large shade tree, a power outage is the perfect time to make use of this free shade. It can be significantly cooler in the shade as opposed to in the sun. Try and find an area of shade that also offers a natural breeze. Make this your “base camp” during the hottest parts of the day.

4. Avoid Unnecessary Physical Activity

When your power is out, there are a lot of projects that require your attention. You need to keep the food in your freezer cold, attend to your toilets, and make sure none of your household items melt. While there is a lot of necessary work you must do, make sure you avoid any extra physical activity. Keep your activity low, and try to keep your heart rate down if you are unable to cool off with air conditioning.

5. Use Battery-Operated Fans

Battery-operated fans are very common, and a great item to have in an emergency preparedness kit. Even a small battery-operated fan is enough to keep your body cooler, or at least enough to keep your face from sweating. Have these fans on hand, and make sure you have new batteries in case you lose power on a hot day.

6. Block The Heat From Entering The Home

It is important to keep cold air trapped inside the home, and warm air trapped outside. One great way to do this is to block heat using your window blinds, or even light-colored curtains. Pay special attention to any room that faces the sun. You do not want any direct sunlight beaming into your home, as this will only make things hotter inside.

7. Open The Windows At Night

Even a hot night is going to be colder than the daytime. Therefore, make sure you do your best to circulate the cooler night-time air into the home. This means opening up as many windows as possible after the sun goes down. Make sure your window screens are in place and regularly maintained and replaced to ensure all night-time insects stay outside.

8. Dress Appropriately

When you are planning what to wear when your power is out in the summer, remember to wear light colors and breathable fabrics. Light colors reflect the sun instead of absorbing it. Breathable fabrics help the breeze pass through and keep you cool. If you have quick-drying material, that works well too.

9. Take A Day Trip And Cool Off Somewhere

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to follow some of the above steps, it is just too darn hot to even think straight. If you find yourself so hot that you are struggling to think or think you might even be experiencing a bit of heat sickness, then seek shelter. Get in a car (or take air-conditioned public transit) to somewhere cool. Find a beach, or even a movie theater with power and enjoy some respite from the heat during the hottest hours. This is a fun way to stay safe and cool during a summer power outage.

10. Keep Yourself Hydrated

Remember to stay hydrated when you lose power in the summer. It is very easy to dehydrate when you are in hotter conditions than you are used to. Drinking water, especially cold water, is a great way to help keep your body cool during a power outage on a hot day.

Keep a large water bottle nearby and sip from it regularly. You might not feel thirsty, but if you are sweating, then your body needs more water than usual. Don’t wait until you feel dehydration symptoms before you start drinking water.

11. Avoid Using The Stove Or Oven

Even when the power is out you still need to eat. You also probably want to make sure none of your perishable food goes bad. This means you are likely to do a lot of cooking during a power outage.

Try not to use an indoor oven or stove, as this will only make your home much warmer. Instead, if you need to cook something, fire up your grill, or use an outdoor stove, or alternative cooking method.

12. Stay Out Of The Sun

Lastly, if you do nothing else to stay cool when you lose power on a hot summer day, the least you can do is stay out of the sun. Sitting in the sun, even partial sun, will make you feel much warmer than necessary. It can also contribute to illnesses like sunstroke and heat stroke, which can be very dangerous and even deadly. Stay in the shade, or create your own shade with an umbrella whenever you are outside during a summer power outage.

Wrapping Up Keeping Cool During A Summer Power Outage

When you lose power in the summertime, it is easy to feel an immediate sense of panic. Not only are all your perishable items at risk, but hot summer weather can be unbearable without air conditioning and ceiling fans. Still, there are ways to keep cool during a power outage.

Avoid any unnecessary physical activity, and try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Use a mister, inflatable pool, or even sprinklers to cool off. Wear light-colored and breathable clothing, and remember to always keep yourself hydrated, even if you don’t always feel thirsty.

Related Guides:

• Backyard Activities For When It's Hot Outside And You Don't Have A Pool
• What To Do With A Fish Tank When The Power Goes Out
• 5 Best Generators for 15000 BTU Air Conditioner