This year, the hot days began in spring, at least a couple of weeks before the start of summer. As soon as the season arrived, so did the first heat wave, which has already claimed its first fatalities. It is very important, during the rest of the hot season, to protect ourselves from solar radiation and dehydration by drinking more water than we do during the rest of the year. We must also make sure that those in our care, young children and older adults, do the same.
The trick to always having cold water on hand
One alternative, if we are out and about or at the beach, is to buy bottled mineral water to drink cold and keep ourselves physically well. However, this is not very cost-effective in the medium term, and eventually the water in the bottle gets warm and we end up throwing it away, which is also environmentally unfriendly, because we are contributing to increasing plastic waste.
The other option is to take water in bottles filled at home and refill them at water fountains in parks and squares. Here we encounter the same problem again, that the water gets warm and is no longer drinkable, although this can be avoided by using thermal bottles or cups.
The solution is quite simple and works all summer long, and it’s a trick that will always ensure we have cold water. If you are planning to go out and don’t want to buy bottled water all the time, just put several bottles of cold water in the freezer, but don’t fill them completely.
If you fill them completely, the bottles will be very heavy and you will hardly be able to drink anything for the first few hours, and they may also break in the freezing process. The trick is to fill each bottle only two-thirds full and freeze it, then add plain or cold water shortly before leaving. The ice in the bottle will keep the water cold and melt slowly.
You will probably be able to refill the bottle several times and it will stay cold thanks to the ice, giving you water for longer.
The position of the bottle matters
One thing to consider is how to position the bottles so that they don’t block the spout when frozen. Most domestic freezers don’t have enough space to store bottles upright, so it’s inevitable that they will have to be laid flat.
When placing the bottles in this way, make sure they are tilted, with the mouth facing upwards. This will leave the outlet free and distribute the water throughout the bottle, so that when you fill it from the tap, all the liquid water will be in contact with the ice.
The importance of drinking water (all year round)
Although we emphasise this in summer, it is important to stay hydrated all year round, but many people do not do so because they wait until they are thirsty to drink. And the danger of dehydration is not only during the summer. Many people feel less thirsty during the cold days of autumn and winter and consequently drink less water than they need, which can be serious, especially in young children and older adults.
A study conducted by a company that manufactures refillable bottles, air up, found that 14% of Spaniards drink less than 1.5 litres of water a day, which is the minimum amount we should consume according to the WHO.
Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, dizziness and confusion; in older people, it can make them irritable, drowsy or disoriented, and in children it can be noticed by sunken skin, crying without tears, irritability and darker urine. All this can be avoided by always having a bottle of cold water within reach.
