The Montclair Health Department offers some tips for staying cool in extreme heat. It is possible to be comfortable in summer's soaring temperatures, below are a few quick and easy tips on how to be cool.

Most importantly, think water. Water in any medium, for example a drink or shower, will bring immediate relief from the heat.

Remember to stay hydrated. Drinking water is best because it replenishes fluids lost to perspiration. Try wetting wrists and other pulse points with cold water. This will help to cool off the entire body.

Get in the water. Don't have a pool? Jump in a friend's. Or, invest in a plastic wading pool and place it under a tree. Grab some sunglasses, suntan lotion, and a great book and you're in business! Take a cold shower. Consider decreasing the temperature of the water as you get used to it. If you repeat this until you are sufficiently cool, your body will remain cool for a while after you get out. For people who fear wasting water, plug the drain and recycle the collected water -- wash your dog, water the plants, or clean your car.

Hold a cold object to your neck. Even a soda can will work! This helps to cool the blood that is traveling to your brain.

Dress for the heat. Be sure to wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics (such as cotton, silk, and linen). A lot of the body's heat escapes through the feet, palms, and scalp so by keeping these areas cool (take your hat and shoes off while inside), you'll keep your whole body cool. Lighter colored clothing helps to reflect sunlight and heat.

Use mint-flavored lotion or body scrub. It refreshes the skin and gives you a nice cooling sensation.

Avoid direct sunlight and try to avoid going outdoors at midday. If you choose to spend the hotter parts of the day inside, know that warmer air is less dense than cooler air so higher floors of the house get increasingly hotter. The best place to be is in the basement.

The human body emits heat from the feet, hands and face so soaking feet in a bucket of cold water will capably cool the body. Soak a balled-up shirt in cold water, wring it out, put it on and sit in front of a fan or outside in the shade if there is a breeze.

Keep the air flowing. If you have ceiling or box fans, keep them on. Open the windows in the evening to create a nice cross breeze that circulates the outside air with the inside air. Think about whether or not you want to open the windows during the day. If you shut them early in the morning and pull the shades, you may be able to keep the cool night air inside the house. At the very least, you'll help to block out the relentless midday sun.

Turn off electrical heat sources. Stoves, ovens, lamps, and computers can all be sources of heat. Definitely avoid cooking on a hot day. For more ideas on how to avoid heat build-up, check out the U.S. Department of Energy.

Remember to think cool. It won't physically make you cooler, but concentrating on polar bears and Alaska may make the heat less overbearing.

Indulge in a frozen treat. Who knew that beating the heat could be so delicious? For quick and easy popsicles, pour your favorite drink into a paper cup and insert a popsicle stick. Place the drinks into the freezer until frozen. Then, rip away the cups and enjoy!

Drink lots of water, in a heat wave more than ever, you need water and plenty of it! The body dehydrates faster when it’s hot so keep moisture levels up by regular glasses of plain water. Resist the urge to have cold sweet drinks, carbonated drinks or coffee or tea. Anything with caffeine in it is a diuretic, drawing water out of your cells and dehydrating you faster.

Open doors and windows in the evenings to release hot air, open up all available doors and windows so the heat trapped in the house the whole day is released. There may not be much wind, but the exchange of hot trapped air and cooler outside evening air can cool the house or room down dramatically and quickly (without having to use electricity.

Mist your face during the day, When it’s hot, one quick easy way to cool down is to mist your face with water. Water will pull the heat away from your skin as it evaporates and helps cool you down.

For more information on staying cool, please contact the Montclair Health Department at 973-509-474.