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The weathermen may be saying it is 34 deg C, but it feels like being in a red-hot oven. What’s scarier: the mercury level is expected to rise even higher.
While many of us can find shelter in the shade and move about in air-conditioned vehicles, we should spare a thought for those toiling outdoors in the sweltering heat.
Kudos to the Ministry of Manpower for implementing enhanced measures to reduce the risks of heat stress for these workers.
However, it is still up to the individual to be smart and cool.
Besides the usual drill – remain hydrated by drinking lots of water and not going out when the sun is at its hottest – here are other ways to stay cool.
After a trip outdoors, cool your pulse points by running cold water or rubbing ice cubes over your wrists.
If that does not do the trick, place a cold cloth or a cold pack on the back of your neck for five minutes.
Don’t try it with a chilled can of beer. You may be tempted to crack it open to quench your thirst.
The rule is to stay clear of alcohol as it can dehydrate you.
Wearing a hat is also advisable as it provides instant shade and reduces your exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
Surprisingly, Singaporeans are not into hats and caps despite the island being smack on the equator.
Another item that could become popular is the portable fan. Once, people would look askance at these gadgets, but now it is common to see commuters with small portable fans at bus stops and MRT stations.
The next tip might not go down well with food-obsessed Singaporeans: Eat small meals since digestion of a hearty meal can significantly raise the body’s core temperature.
The Straits Times recently reported that a pilot study by Nanyang Technological University showed that heat reflective paint can cool buildings by up to 2 deg C. Let’s hope this technology can be applied to fabrics in the near future, so we can look and feel cool every time.
Until then, stick to loose, light-coloured attire spun from cotton or linen, and avoid body-hugging outfits in dark colours.
Hot, sweaty, fashionable hues or cool, comfortable, dowdy tints? The choice is yours.
