Germany is experiencing an intense summer heatwave, prompting Cologne to launch the ‘Cooling Cologne’ initiative. This involves using chilled groundwater dispersed through mist sprays connected to fire hoses. The effort is part of a broader look at how people cope with scorching temperatures without air conditioning.
Cooling with Water
Bridgit Jordan from Minneapolis tackles the heat by swimming and staying in her wet swimsuit, combined with a fan. Olivier El Mekki in Dijon, France, uses his bathtub as a personal plunge pool, filling it with fresh water to cool down for moments. Inspired by cows, he notes how they find relief in water in the shade. Amber Thompson recalls her Syrian childhood, where well-timed cool showers helped combat the heat.
Cold water plays a significant role in many traditions. Elizabeth Tillinghast from Vermont remembers her mother advising them to run cold water over their wrists to quickly circulate cooled blood through their bodies.
Playing with Water
Ezra Musselman, who grew up in southeast Minnesota, fondly remembers spraying siblings with cold well water. Similarly, Dayton Bradford recalls abundant swimming holes in southeast Tennessee. In Florida, Barbara Wunder McAslan mowed lawns and cooled off in an inflatable kiddie pool.
Fans and Airflow
Diane Hinkle’s family in Tennessee used a box fan to bring in cool night air until 7 a.m., then closed all windows to maintain cooler indoor temperatures. In Pakistan, Chaudhry Awais Ahmed uses a damp towel with a pedestal fan to create an evaporative cooler, gaining relief through the added humidity.
Cool Fashion Tricks
Mary Richardson from Los Angeles turns to wearing headbands packed with ice cubes. Amy Barlow Liberatore of Platteville, Wisconsin, uses gel scarves filled with water beads that keep her cool all day. May Bolden’s husband benefits from wearing ice vests with replaceable ice packs.
In Texas, Kimberly Wasylina uses a wet washcloth with ice cubes inside a baggie for relief. Meanwhile, Pat Manly from Arizona learned to dunk his shirt in water while working construction. However, he found this ineffective in humid New Hampshire.
Helping Pets Beat the Heat
Joan Sheehan from Sacramento uses cold packs for her pets, recounting how her cat would signal its preference by meowing near the freezer.
Shade, Structures, and the Outdoors
Jim Gillen advises on minimizing concrete in favor of trees and garden spaces for cooler environments. He recalls families sleeping in parks or yards to escape the heat. Gina L. Freeman adopts awnings and blackout curtains for relief inside her 1939 home.
Amber Thompson recounts removing carpets and sleeping on tiles in Syria. Ezra Musselman shares childhood memories of sweltering Minnesota summers spent sleeping outside on porches or in tents, under the watch of stars and nocturnal wildlife.