Tips for keeping cool this summer Published May 15, 2009 By Senior Airman Tania Reid 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MacDill AFB, Fla. -- Summer is fast approaching. What does that mean? There will be high temperatures and more humidity. But stay cool, when the temperatures start to soar there are ways to beat the heat. According to the consumer energy center most healthy adults can cope with heat; their bodies are able to maintain normal temperature up to a point, primarily through sweating. When body heat rises above the norm, the brain causes the blood vessels in the skin to dilate, providing increased blood flow at the surface of the body and supplying increased fluids to make sweat. As perspiration evaporates, it cools the surface of the body and lowers body temperature. If the humidity is higher, it is more difficult for the body to perspire normally. Although anyone, at any time, can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Remember to check regularly on: · Infants and young children up to 4 years of age · Persons over 65, and particularly those who have health problems involving their heart, kidneys, or lungs · Persons who are overweight · Persons taking diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, antihistamines or any other medication which interferes with their ability to perspire · Persons who overwork or exercise excessively in the heat · Persons who are dehydrated or have poor circulation, reducing the ability of their body to deliver blood to the skin · Persons who have a mental illness · Persons who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching. Here are five ideas to keep yourself cool while in your house without running up your electric bill: 1. If the area you live in cools off in the evening, take advantage of the cool evenings to cool off your entire house. Open windows and doors with screens to bring the inside temperature down. 2. Consider using a whole-house fan. 3. In the morning, close up your house and draw blinds and drapes so the house stays darker and thus cooler. 4. If you have venetian blinds, close them or angle them upwards. That way, light is reflected up and into the room and direct rays of the sun are not let in. 5. Set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you are home and 85 degrees when you are away. For the infirm, elderly, and those who have trouble maintaining body temperatures (such as diabetics), set your thermostat lower (72 to 75 degrees) when you are home. The higher the temperature the greater the risk, so as the summer gets closer remember to follow these tips. Watch for those at greater risk such as the older adults, infants and young children. Then don't forget to lower the temperatures at home by avoiding the direct rays from the sunlight. This summer practice these tips and stay cool. Editor's note: This is the first story in a three part series highlighting the ways to stay cool this summer.