Advisory / Warning

Feeling hot isn’t only uncomfortable, it can be dangerous to your health. Being around extreme heat and humidity for a long time increases your risks for heat-related illnesses. It can also increase your risk for diseases that affect your heart and blood vessels like a heart attack, and it can cause breathing problems.

Air conditioning is the best tool to stop heat-related illnesses. If you do not have air conditioning in your home, here are some tips to help you stay safe and cool.

Where To Go If You Have No Air Conditioning

If you do not have air conditioning and struggle with the summer heat, consider going to:

  • Family and Friends’ Home
  • Mall/Store
  • Movie Theater
  • Library
  • Recreation Center

  • Find free places to go in Columbus. Please note: not all places are indoors.
  • Local Pool
  • Restaurant
  • Call 211 for help.
  • Cooling Centers: Find out if a cooling center has been opened in your area by calling your local government, or visiting their social media platforms, or checking their website. A link to their sites can be found on our website.

What To Do At Home

Windows:

  • Keep curtains/blinds closed.
  • Use heat-blocking curtains.
  • Apply high-reflectivity window film on your windows.
  • Don’t sit next to any windows getting direct sunlight.

You:

  • Drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty.
  • Don’t drink alcohol.
  • Cook early in the day and use a slow cooker for meals later in the day or eat cold meals such as salad or watermelon.
  • Take cool showers or baths. Baths are better especially if you add peppermint essential oil.
  • Wear loose, lightweight, breathable clothing.
  • Use cold washcloths or icepacks on your neck, wrists, insides of your elbows, or the backs of your knees. You can also freeze a half-filled water bottle.
  • Use a spray bottle to occasionally mist yourself.
  • Treat yourself to frozen treats.
  • Sit in front of a fan. The moving air will help you to feel cooler than you would if the air were still. Please note: the fan will only cool you down. It will not cool down your room.
    • Tip: put an icepack or a bowl of ice in front of your fan to cool down even more.

Rest of the House:

  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED or other energy-efficient light bulbs.
  • Use a dehumidifier.
  • Use cotton, silk, or other lightweight materials for bedding.
  • Close the doors to unused rooms.
  • Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise.
  • Use the exhaust fan in your kitchen and/or bathroom after cooking or taking a shower.
  • Hang out in your basement.