2026 Complete Guide to Summer Heatstroke Prevention and Cooling: Countermeasures for Home, Going Out and Power Savings during High Temperature Alerts

1. How hot is Taiwan’s summer in 2026? Record-breaking high temperatures

• In May 2026, The Temperature At Many Measuring Stations Across Taiwan Exceeded 38 Degrees, With Yujing In Tainan Reaching 39.7 Degrees.
• The Urban Heat Island Effect Makes The Perceived Temperature In Urban Areas 2-4 Degrees Higher Than Official Data
• High Temperature Not Only Affects Comfort, But Also Directly Threatens Life Safety - About 400-600 People In Taiwan Seek Medical Treatment Due To Heat Injuries Every Year

2. Heat Stroke vs Heat Exhaustion: Understanding the Difference Could Save a Life

3. Heat stroke first aid SOP: Remember these five steps

• 1. Move To A Cool Place: Immediately Move The Patient To A Sheltered, Cool Environment, Away From Direct Sunlight
• 2. Dial 119: Heatstroke Is An Emergency. Do Not Hesitate To Call An Ambulance Immediately.
• 3. Take Off Excess Clothing: Untie Collars And Belts To Dissipate Heat As Much As Possible
• 4. Actively Cool Down: Wipe The Whole Body With A Wet Towel, Fan, And Put Ice Cubes On The Neck And Armpits If Available. Do Not Wipe With Alcohol
• 5. Hydrate But Be Careful: If The Patient Is Conscious, They Can Drink Water In Small Sips. If You Are Unconscious, Do Not Drink Water To Avoid Choking Into Your Lungs.

4. Cooling down at home: 8 ways to use more than just air conditioning

• 1. Window Thermal Insulation Film: Applying Thermal Insulation Film To Xishai Windows Can Reduce The Indoor Temperature By 3-5 Degrees And Costs About 200-500 Yuan/Window.
• 2. Blackout Curtains: Choose Light-Colored Curtains With Blackout Coating To Block 70-90% Of Solar Radiation Heat
• 3. Ventilation And Convection: Open Diagonal Windows In The Evening And Use Electric Fans To Create Convection And Quickly Discharge Indoor Hot Air.
• 4. Air Conditioner Setting 26-28 Degrees: Use It With An Electric Fan, The Body Temperature Will Drop By 2 Degrees, And The Electricity Bill Will Be Saved By 20%
• 5. Sprinkling Water Or Laying Reflective Materials On The Roof: Suitable For Residents On The Top Floor, Which Can Lower The Room Temperature On The Top Floor By 3-8 Degrees.
• 6. Indoor Plants: Place Large-Leaf Plants Near The Window To Naturally Cool Down Through Evapotranspiration And Improve Air Quality.
• 7. Reduce Heat Sources: Use The Oven Less During The Day, Turn On Less Unnecessary Lights (Traditional Light Bulbs Generate A Lot Of Heat), And Switch To Leds
• 8. Bamboo Mats Or Cooling Bedding: The Body Temperature Will Drop By 1-2 Degrees During Sleep, Reducing The Use Of Air Conditioners At Night

5. Preventing heatstroke when going out: key points of protection for commuting, exercising and working

• Time Period Selection: Avoid The High Temperature Period From 10 Am To 3 Pm, When Ultraviolet Rays And Temperatures Are At Their Highest.
• Wear: Light-Colored, Loose, Breathable Clothing. Dark Clothes Absorb Heat And Tight Clothes Hinder Heat Dissipation
• Sun Protection: Hat + Sunglasses + Sunscreen With Spf 30 Or Above. Reapply Every 2 Hours
• Hydrate: Don’T Wait Until You’Re Thirsty To Drink Water. Drink 150-250Ml Of Water Every 15-20 Minutes. Replenish Sports Drinks With Electrolytes When You Sweat A Lot
• Cool Down With You: Bring A Small Spray Bottle, A Cooling Towel Or A Handheld Fan To Cool Yourself Down Regularly
• Attention Motorcycle Owners: Clean The Lining Of Your Helmet Regularly And Choose A Breathable Model. When Stopping At A Red Light, Avoid Road Sections Exposed To The Sun At Noon

6. Focus on heatstroke prevention for special groups

• Infants And Young Children: Their Thermoregulatory Functions Are Not Yet Fully Developed And Should Never Be Left In The Car (The Temperature Inside The Car Can Soar To Over 50 Degrees In 10 Minutes). Use A Sunshade Stroller Cover When Going Out And Replenish Water Regularly
• Elderly People Over 65 Years Old: Chronic Disease Medications May Affect Perspiration Function And The Sense Of Thirst May Be Dull. Family Members Should Take The Initiative To Remind Them To Drink Water, At Least 1500Ml Every Day
• Patients With Chronic Diseases: Patients With Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, And Kidney Disease Are More Sensitive To High Temperatures. People Taking Diuretics Are More Likely To Become Dehydrated And Need To Drink More Water
• Mao Xiaobao: Dogs And Cats Have Poor Heat Dissipation Ability, So Avoid Walking The Dog At Noon. Temperatures On Asphalt Can Reach Over 60 Degrees And Can Burn Pads. Prepare Enough Water And Pay Attention To The Frequency Of Panting

7. Practical ways to save electricity in summer: The secret to not blowing up your electricity bill

• Air-Conditioning Timer: Set A Timer To Turn Off 2-3 Hours Before Going To Bed, And Use An Electric Fan To Maintain Coolness. The Temperature Naturally Drops In The Early Morning, So There Is No Need To Turn On The Air Conditioner All Night
• Air Conditioner Cleaning: Cleaning The Filter Every Two Weeks Can Increase Air Conditioner Efficiency By 10-15%. Ask A Professional To Wash It Once Every Summer
• Make Good Use Of Time-Based Electricity Prices: Taipower’S Time-Based Electricity Price Plan, The Electricity Price During Off-Peak Hours Is About 1/3 Of The Peak Price. Large Home Appliances (Washing Machines, Dryers) Are Moved To Off-Peak Hours For Use
• Refrigerator Management: Do Not Overfill The Refrigerator (Leave 30% Space For Air Circulation), Reduce The Number Of Opening And Closing, And Allow Food To Cool Before Putting It In
• Appliance Standby: Unplug Unused Appliances Or Use Smart Sockets To Save 50-100 Yuan Per Month On Standby Power.

8. Dietary advice for hot weather

• Eat More Foods With High Water Content: Watermelon, Cucumber, Tomato, Winter Melon To Replenish Water And Vitamins
• Appropriate Amount Of Salt Supplement: After Sweating A Lot, Drink Water With A Pinch Of Salt, Or Choose A Drink Containing Electrolytes
• Avoid High-Sugar Ice Drinks: Sugary Drinks Can Actually Accelerate Dehydration. If You Want To Drink Ice, Sugar-Free Tea Or Lemonade Is A Better Choice
• Eat Small And Frequent Meals: Large Meals Will Increase The Body'S Heat Production (Digestion Itself Produces Heat), Changing To Small And Frequent Meals Will Reduce The Burden On The Body.
• Be Careful With Alcohol: Although Beer Is Cold, Alcohol Can Be A Diuretic And Accelerate Dehydration. Drink An Extra Amount Of Water When Drinking