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Heat & Drought
Protecting Your Home in a Heatwave
Keep the heat out and make one cool refuge. People matter more than the thermostat.
What to do
- 1Block sun on south/west windows with blinds, reflective film, or outside shade.
- 2Seal the house by day; ventilate at night when outdoor air is cooler.
- 3Create one 'cool room' on the lowest floor and spend the hottest hours there.
- 4Limit oven/stove use; cook outdoors or eat no-cook meals.
- 5Check on vulnerable family and neighbors twice a day.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Cooling the whole house instead of one room
- Heavy cooking that adds heat
- Ignoring at-risk people
Good to know
- A fan blowing across a tray of ice gives a quick DIY cooler.
Continue here — more Heat & Drought