United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently warned that the era of “global boiling” has arrived. July 2023 was officially the hottest month on record around the world, and global temperatures are expected to remain high. In Singapore, warm conditions are expected throughout August, with the mercury possibly hitting a high of around 35 deg Celsuis on some days.
Exposure to excessive heat and humidity without relief can lead to various types of heat-related illnesses such as painful cramps, heat exhaustion, and potentially fatal heatstroke. To protect yourself from the hot weather, follow these essential steps, no matter if you are indoors or out and about.
Stay hydrated
We all know how hot and humid Singapore can be, so drink up. Plain water is the optimal choice, although any fluids – juice, soda, coffee, tea, sports drinks – will also work. For ultimate convenience at home, try the Hydroflux NAMI Water Purifier.
The water purifier offers a personalised drinking experience with five temperatures (hot, cold and ambient), and is able to measure how much water it has dispensed. It has a child safety lock which disables the hot water dispenser so parents need not worry about unsupervised use. It even has a voice guide that voices out the functions you are engaging, a feature that is especially useful if you are dispensing hot water in the dark. Its minimal and slim design (available in two colours) fits most kitchen countertops.
But it is the multi-stage filtration and automated sterilisation process that would encourage thirsty users to drink more water. The four-stage filtration system starts with the removal of larger particles and sediments from the water, followed by pre-carbon filtration that utilises activated carbon filters to remove chlorine, organic compounds, and certain chemicals from the water.
The third stage involves nano filtration which uses semi-permeable membranes with smaller pore sizes to filter out a wide range of impurities, including dissolved solids, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and certain organic molecules. It helps “soften” water by removing hardness-causing minerals. The last stage further enhances the taste and odour of the water by passing the filtered water through another activated carbon filter to help remove any residual impurities.
For more information, visit www.hydroflux.com.sg/products/nami-water-purifier.
Cool down with a fan
If you don’t have an air-conditioner, that’s ok. The humble fan works, too. Mistral’s new 16-inch Stand Fan with Remote Control (promotional price: $55; UP: $109) is an uncomplicated way to stay cool. It has an adjustable height (from 114.5cm to 134cm), and is equipped with seven fan blades for powerful, quiet and smooth air circulation.
The fan offers left and right oscillation, allowing up to 80-degree rotation, and has three speeds and three modes to suit individual airflow preferences. The best part? It comes with a remote control as well as a convenient 7.5-hour timer function for automated operation.
Here’s an even cooler tip: Simply place a bucket of ice in front of the fan. The air will be chilled as it passes over the ice, resulting in a more refreshing breeze.
Available at authorised retail partners like Mayer showrooms, official Mayer e-store, and other authorised ecommerce platforms.
Wear lightweight clothing
Breathable fabrics like cotton and linen should be your best friends in warm weather. Go beyond T-shirts and shorts with Marks & Spencer’s Summer 2023 collection. Comprising brightly coloured classics and bold-patterned pieces for men, women and kids, they are perfect for any summer-themed gathering.
The women’s collection features lace, broderie anglaise enhanced with ruffles, pleat details, and embellishments in both monochromatic hues as well as vibrant mauve, turquoise, and lime. Similarly, staples in summery hues and prints are incorporated into the men’s collection.
Shop the latest Summer collection online at www.marksandspencer.com/sg.
Apply sunscreen – even when indoors
UV protection is a must, even when you are indoors sitting near a window or on the plane, as exposure to UVA and UVB rays can cause premature ageing and other types of skin damage.
To choose the right sunscreen, look for “broad spectrum” formulas and those with SPF30 or higher. Suncreens that are water resistant are a better option if you tend to get sweaty, but even then, experts recommend reapplying every two hours. Most importantly, pick one that you feel comfortable wearing. Consider a mattifying sunscreen if you have oily skin or a lightweight, gel-like one if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Find a wide range of sun care products for every skin type at Lazbeauty, the one-stop destination for all things beauty-related. Discover an array of top-notch sun care products from brands such as Anessa, Clinique, La Roche-Posay, Neutrogena, and SuperGoop!.
Buy them online at LazBeauty.
