Beat the Heat with Cooling Gadgets and Wearables
As heat waves blast the world like a blow dryer on high, folks are reaching for anything that promises a little personal chill: portable mini fans, cooling neck wraps, high-tech vests and all kinds of heat-beating headwear. Of course, cooling gear helps most when paired with basic and safe strategies against the heat: most importantly hydration, shade and rest. Stay out of extreme heat when possible, and know the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Introduction to Cooling Solutions
Yet these wearable wonders and breezy gadgets can offer some relief. They might look quirky, but when the AC struggles and the sidewalk feels like a stovetop, they can start to seem like must-haves.
Home Cooling Solutions
When you’re at home, stay comfy with cool-feel sheets (like those with a silky finish or lightweight fibers), bed fans (where a nozzle inserted into the bed linens pumps a flow of air around you), or a cooling pillow or chill pad, which are filled with a gel that can stay cool for hours. Sleep-product brands include Serta, Sealy, Casper, Pluto and Threshold. The chill pads can work for your own bed and the pets’ bed too. There are chillable full-size mattresses (Chilipad, 8Sleep and BedJet get good reviews from The Spruce) and smaller, simple pads (CoolCare and Sharper Image, among others).
Outdoor Wearables for Cooling
Outdoor wearables are also gaining popularity. Clare Epstein, an employee safety expert with Vector Solutions in Tampa, Florida, works to reduce heat stress for at-risk employees in industries like construction, aviation and agriculture. She recommends wearables like cooling scarves and evaporative cooling vests. “By soaking the fabric in cold water at the beginning of the day, the vest slowly cools, and keeps the wearer cool,” she says. Clothes made of “phase change materials,” or PCMs, contain gel capsules or pads that can help moderate body temperatures. Uline.com advertises a vest that stays under 60 degrees for a few hours, and AlphaCool offers a neck tube that performs similarly.
Additional Cooling Solutions for Kids and Adults
Also for kids, there’s a line of plush toys from Warmies that includes little critters of the farmyard, ocean, forest and safari that can be popped in the freezer before a trip to the park or playground. This image released by Warmies shows plush animal toys that can be popped in the freezer to provide cooling comfort. (Warmies via AP) Wearable items that incorporate small fans or thermoelectric coolers are also good, Epstein says. And there are vests with tubed reservoirs you can fill with water or electrolytes so you can sip as you go. “These encourage people to take more water breaks, and stay hydrated,” says Epstein.
Expert Advice for Staying Cool
Lynn Campbell, co-founder of 10Adventures travel company in Calgary, Alberta, takes a lot of strenuous hiking and cycling trips with her husband, Richard. They’ve developed some easy hacks for hot days. “We’ll wake up early, so we’re done by 10 or 11 a.m., or if we’re out on the trails, split the day in two, so we rest by water or in the shade over the hottest part” of the day, she says. Wear light colors and thin, breathable fabrics. And bring an umbrella. “This is a game-changer,” Campbell says. “Now we always pack ultralight, compact ones; they’re incredible.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, with the heat waves blasting the world, it’s essential to stay cool and safe. By using cooling gadgets and wearables, individuals can reduce their risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Whether you’re at home or outdoors, there are various solutions available to help you beat the heat. From cool-feel sheets to portable mini fans, and from cooling scarves to evaporative cooling vests, there’s something for everyone.
FAQs
Q: What are some basic strategies for staying cool during a heat wave?
A: Basic strategies include hydration, shade, and rest. It’s essential to stay out of extreme heat when possible and know the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Q: What are some popular cooling gadgets and wearables?
A: Popular cooling gadgets and wearables include portable mini fans, cooling neck wraps, high-tech vests, and heat-beating headwear.
Q: How can I stay cool while sleeping?
A: You can stay cool while sleeping by using cool-feel sheets, bed fans, cooling pillows, or chill pads.
Q: Are there any cooling solutions available for kids?
A: Yes, there are cooling solutions available for kids, such as plush toys from Warmies that can be popped in the freezer before a trip to the park or playground.
Q: What are some expert tips for staying cool during outdoor activities?
A: Expert tips include waking up early, splitting the day in two to rest in the shade, wearing light colors and thin, breathable fabrics, and bringing an umbrella.
