Summer Heat in Hagen – 12 Tips

High summer doesn't just come to Hagen on the Ruhr. Some people find the heat difficult, but just as many look forward to the warm season. Whether or not you like summer, a few simple measures can protect you and make life on hot days much easier – and not only in Hagen in North Rhine-Westphalia, with its almost 190 thousand inhabitants.

Some of these measures may be familiar to you, while others are helpful and new. Knowing the dangers of high-summer temperatures in Hagen and actually putting the right solutions into practice in everyday life are two different things, however. That is exactly where this guide aims to help.

12 Tips for the Hot Summer:

1. Drink Plenty

Drinking plenty should really go without saying: in summer heat it is vital to drink a lot of water, especially if you are outdoors. When you sweat, the body loses not only water but also minerals. That is why it is so important to replace both by drinking regularly throughout the day.

If you neglect this, you risk cramps or heat exhaustion. In summer you should mainly drink water, but unsweetened fruit juices and herbal teas are also helpful. Avoid sugary drinks such as lemonades, as these can make the feeling of dehydration even worse.

2. Avoid the Midday Sun

The sun is strongest between noon and 3pm. During this time, wear a hat and stay in the shade if possible.

So plan your day with care: it is better to go for a walk in the morning or evening than in the midday heat. Strenuous physical activities can easily be moved to a cooler time.

3. Dress Appropriately

Your clothing should cover as much of your body as possible while being pale, light and loose. That way you are protected and pleasantly cool at the same time.

Natural fabrics such as silk, cotton or linen are best. These natural fibres are breathable and absorb sweat well.

You should avoid synthetic fabrics such as polyester, because they don't absorb sweat and you only get hotter. Feel free to change your clothes more often on hot days. And stock up on light summer clothes in good time – the first heatwave usually arrives faster than expected.

4. Always Air Your Flat or House

Open doors and windows when it is cooler outside than inside – so above all at night and in the early morning. Make sure you don't let any insects in.

With damp towels in front of the windows or a fan, you can cool your rooms further. Especially in loft flats or in flats that face south, it can get uncomfortably warm very quickly.

5. Switch Off Electronic Devices

PCs, televisions and other devices keep producing heat even in standby mode. So switch electrical devices off completely while they are not in use.

On hot days it is best to charge your electronic devices at night, when the flat is cooling down anyway.

6. Dry Your Washing Outdoors ...

... if you have a larger balcony or a garden. Wet washing in the flat raises the humidity in the rooms, and the body perceives damp air as much warmer than dry air. At high temperatures, washing dries faster outdoors anyway.

7. Don't Eat Too Much

A lavish meal makes you sweat even more and leaves you sluggish. It is wiser to eat several small meals spread throughout the day. You should avoid fatty dishes, because long digestion can cause discomfort in the heat. Conveniently, lighter dishes taste better to us in summer anyway – you will find suitable places in our overview of the best restaurants in Hagen. Exceptions prove the rule, of course.

8. Always Remember Sun Protection

UV rays raise your risk of skin cancer and damage the skin irreparably. Premature skin ageing – pigment spots and wrinkles – is also a consequence of UV radiation. Don't forget – your skin never forgets!

So don't forget sun protection with a high sun protection factor as soon as you go outside – no matter how cloudy the sky is. At the outdoor pool in particular, you should reapply sun protection at least every two hours.

9. Air-Conditioned Rooms

On really hot days it can be wise to take a break from time to time in an air-conditioned room to cool down. That can be the grocery shop or the library, just as it can be your own home, if it has a cellar or air conditioning.

10. Be Careful with Alcohol

Alcoholic drinks draw fluid from the body and so should be avoided as far as possible in the heat. If you do have a drink, every alcoholic drink should come with at least one glass of water.

Alcohol also makes you careless: who hasn't lost track of time in the sun – and with it sun protection and drinking?

11. Think of Your Fellow Residents in Hagen

Think of the people around you too, not just yourselves.

For older people, people with chronic illnesses and small children, warm weather is even more dangerous. Watch for dizziness, headaches, nausea or vomiting among the people around you, as these are signs of heat exhaustion.

If you notice these signs, help as best you can – if in doubt, by calling the emergency services!

12. In Cars

Never leave your children and pets alone in parked cars: in parked vehicles the temperature can rise sharply in the shortest time!

Year after year this issue is still dramatically played down and underestimated, at times even simply forgotten. For people and animals, being stuck in a closed vehicle for too long on very warm days is life-threatening, because the temperature rises to very high levels within minutes.

More Tips for the Südwestfalen Region

These tips help you get through the summer well while enjoying it. A few shorter pointers follow here:

• Invest in portable misters or fans – the expense is worthwhile, because you can reuse the devices every summer.
• Get rid of unnecessary sources of heat and make sure your home is well ventilated.
• Prepare meals in advance when it is hot, so you save yourself the extra heat from the hob.
• Keep blinds or curtains closed during the day so the heat stays outside.
• A cold bath or shower before going to bed helps you sleep better.
• Give up strenuous exercise in great heat – swimming is the pleasant exception.

In Hagen you should get through the heat well with this advice, especially at the Freibad Hestert outdoor pool. You will find more ideas for hot days and all our recommendations around the city on our overview page for Hagen.

Going for an ice cream is also a very good idea – especially if you can sit outside in the shade. And if you prefer to end a summer evening with a cool drink, our post on cocktail bars in Hagen has suitable addresses – with a glass of water on the side, of course.

Always stay cool and have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Heat in Hagen

How much should you drink in the heat?

Considerably more than on normal days, and regularly throughout the day. Water is the best choice, and unsweetened fruit juices and herbal teas are also helpful. When you sweat, minerals are lost too, and you replace them this way. Sugary lemonades and alcohol, on the other hand, make the feeling of dehydration worse.

When is the sun strongest in Hagen?

The sun is most intense between noon and 3pm. During this time, stay in the shade, wear a hat and move walks or strenuous activities to the morning or evening.

How do I keep my home cool on hot days?

Air it only when it is cooler outside than inside, and keep blinds or curtains closed during the day. Damp towels in front of the windows or a fan provide extra cooling. Switch off electrical devices you don't need completely and dry your washing outdoors if possible, so the humidity in the rooms doesn't rise.

How do you recognise heat exhaustion?

Typical signs are dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Small children, older people and people with chronic illnesses are particularly at risk. If you notice these symptoms in someone, take them into the shade, give them something to drink and, if in doubt, get help.

Where can you cool down in Hagen in the heat?

A visit to the Freibad Hestert outdoor pool is the classic way to cool off. For short breaks, air-conditioned places such as the library or a grocery shop are suitable, and an ice cream in the shade is simply part of summer by the Ruhr.