What to Do About the Summer Heat in Offenburg?

High summer is on its way, and not just in Offenburg on the Kinzig. There are two types of people: those who love it and those who struggle with the heat. In Offenburg in Baden-Württemberg, home to around 60,000 people, there are simple steps you can take to make the summer more bearable.

Some of these tips might already be familiar, while others could be new and helpful. Knowing about the dangers of high summer temperatures in Offenburg and the solutions that can help is one thing — actually being mindful of them and following them is another matter entirely.

Our 12 tips for hot summer days:

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking enough is very important, and it's actually pretty logical: during summer, it's essential to drink plenty of water, especially if you're spending time outdoors. Drinking plenty of fluids is important because it replenishes the minerals and fluids your body loses through sweating.

The effects of not doing so can include cramps or heat exhaustion. Unsweetened fruit juices and herbal teas can help stabilise your fluid balance, but water is still best in summer. Fizzy drinks and other sugary beverages can make you feel more dehydrated, so they're not recommended during the summer months.

2. Avoid the midday sun

The midday sun is strongest between 12pm and 3pm. During this time, the sun is at its most intense. You should wear a hat or stay in the shade during these hours.

Plan your day accordingly — for example, go for walks in the morning or evening rather than at midday when it's too hot. Strenuous physical activities can certainly wait until cooler times of the day.

3. Clothing

Your clothing should cover as much of your body as possible and should be light, pale-coloured and loose-fitting. This way, you'll be protected and kept cool at the same time.

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

Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, should be avoided, as they'll only make you feel hotter since they don't absorb sweat. Because of sweating, you should also change your clothes more often. Stock up early, as summer arrives faster than you might think.

4. Always air out your flat or house

When it's cooler outside, open the windows and doors. Just be careful not to let any small creatures in.

You can cool your rooms down by hanging wet towels in front of the windows or using a fan. It gets particularly hot in south-facing flats or top-floor flats.

5. Switch off electrical devices

Televisions, computers and other electrical devices generate heat continuously, even in standby mode. If you're not using them, unplug them from the mains.

You should also avoid charging devices on hot days — it's fine to save that for the night-time instead.

6. Dry your washing outdoors ...

... in a garden or on a large balcony. Damp washing increases the humidity indoors, which your body perceives as hotter than dry air. Washing dries faster outdoors in warm weather anyway.

7. Don't eat too much

A large meal will leave you feeling sluggish and can make you sweat even more. It's smarter to eat several small meals throughout the day instead. Fatty foods take longer to digest, which can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Fortunately, lighter dishes tend to taste better in summer anyway — though there are always exceptions.

8. Always think about sun protection

UV rays damage your skin, leading to premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer!

You should apply sunscreen with a high SPF whenever you go outside, even on cloudy days. Especially at the swimming pool, you should reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.

9. Air-conditioned spaces

To cool down, it helps to take a break in a cooler room from time to time on really hot days. This could be various places: the supermarket, the library, or your own home, provided it has air conditioning or a cellar.

10. Alcoholic drinks

During hot weather, it's best to try to avoid alcohol, as it has a dehydrating effect. If you do drink, make sure to have a glass of water alongside every alcoholic drink.

What's more, alcohol makes you less careful — and everyone's lost track of time at least once because of it.

11. Think of those around you

You shouldn't only think of yourself, as the people around you matter too.

Hot weather can be genuinely dangerous for elderly people, those with chronic illnesses, or young children: symptoms of heat exhaustion include headaches, nausea, vomiting or dizziness.

If you notice these signs, help as much as you can!

12. In the car

Never leave your pets or children alone in a parked car: even on mild days, temperatures inside parked cars can rise rapidly, minute by minute!

Year after year, this issue is still dramatically underestimated and downplayed, sometimes simply forgotten. For both animals and people, it's life-threatening to be stuck in a car for too long on hot days, as the temperature can rise to extremely high levels in a short space of time.

Some tips for the Southern Upper Rhine region

These tips will help you enjoy the summer while getting through it comfortably. Here are a few more pointers:

• Investing in portable fans or misting sprays is worthwhile, as you can use them again every summer.

• Sources of heat should be removed, and the home should be well ventilated.

• Avoid cooking by preparing cold meals or snacks in advance.

• Keep curtains or blinds closed during the day to keep the heat out.

• To sleep better, it's best to take a cold shower or bath beforehand.

• Avoid doing sport in summer, however tempting it might be — except for swimming, of course.

If you keep these tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy the summer in Offenburg without too much discomfort, for example at the Freizeitbad Stegermatt.

Going out for ice cream is always a great idea, especially if you can sit outside in the shade.

Stay cool and have fun!