Hot workplaces - save me!

[MrsMurphyIWish]

For those of us who work in hot workplaces, what do you do to keep cool?

I think menopause has made me intolerant to heat (unless I’m by a pool!) and am dreading the forecast this week.

My classroom is on second floor so windows can only open an inch due to safety regulations - also at end of corridor so no through air from doors. I have a neck fan and take ice bottles in with me but the air in the room feels heavy and can easily be 10 degrees hotter than outside temps.

Any advice apart from what I’m already doing? Thanks!

Are you at a secondary school in business wear or primary? If primary, the thinnest, loosest cotton top and skirt that you own and drinking water all day helps me.

Secondary - we have a dress code. I wear dresses but I am bare legged all year round as it’s warm in my room in winter!

I'm a teacher in an oven/school and I've just bought a powerful little handheld fan. Next week I fully intend to spritz myself with water before fanning. The kids have two powerful fans in the classroom and I might bring in a third! I'm not planning on any proper lessons on the very hot days, we'll do quizzes, quiet reading and colouring. Maybe a little Horrible Histories..😉

I really feel for you, I’m worried about my kids being in extremely hot classrooms this week as well. The heatwaves seem to be getting a lot more frequent. I think they should consider finishing for the summer earlier in the year (although I doubt this will ever happen) or shifting the school day earlier. I send my kids in with cooling towels, frozen water bottles and water in an aerosol. Air quality in classrooms also gets very poor (CO2 over 1500ppm) which doesn’t help and contributes to everyone feeling miserable and sluggish.

There’s not much else you can do unfortunately. I worry about my kids starting secondary as they have a very strict uniform code - I grew up in another country where we didn’t have a uniform and finished at the end of June.

Water to spritz is a good idea!

Going to email SLT to ask about a room fan but they’ll probably react like I’ve asked them to murder their first born.

Op i feel for you.

These are absolute life savers!! Sorry dont know how to make it a click link

www.amazon.co.uk/Cooling-Breathable-Microfiber-Running-Activities/dp/B073F1TBMR/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=194612372554&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ESFquWTjNHln6bnrhQVwK8YqwjFBGPAmVhLVbGKwDSdtH6XPg0lED_uJ9qanGfycjgI9QeiwumJmrZuZyl7qgFRFbZE0ohSIRrm_Rf_4s5fs2aH28qpxMv7qfDKPukQIBR2bj8t-TWf6sR_5WLhiuYeqxLrY8v0czVVjW9ou7T4OSaJOoUxx8eMyJyyagpiuMdmUq2LJkbRpqwNh--c8uw.K2TvmO6pfuBv6mL2wALd5VtwFDpvMyvWT2_xeylmUDY&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=792461128929&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9191094&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=17614772249917968870--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17614772249917968870&hvtargid=kwd-470521783805&hydadcr=8613_2413067_396078&keywords=amazon+cooling+towels&mcid=1a98a7e7f9203b6e8e9b08c0fe727489&qid=1782023916&sr=8-3

Will give them a go. Thanks! I will try anything. I was debating buying those cool packs for injuries!

@StormInaDcup99 what do they do ? How.so they work

Op I really feel for you.

No child can concentrate with no air and extreme heat.

@MrsMurphyIWish good idea also.

Btw I have a v powerful little desk fan

https://www.boots.com/boots-menopause-and-me-instant-cooling-packs-5-pack-10340220?srsltid=AfmBOorDsmWuPb94a2Etn0IjCagm-JsPiPilGo3XPFxPMDu4GXEoh3b

these are great on the back of your neck.if you can get to Boots or get them on deliveroo

For DD I freeze a half full water bottle and add cold water in the morning to melt it gradually over the day

They look amazing! Thanks!

@PaperTyger invisible basically a "towel" that you damp in cold water. Drape it around your neck or wrists they are amazing

Put cold water in it throughout day as it dries out.

Honestly a lifesaver

I can HIGHLY recommend this rechargeable handheld fan. I bought myself one on Thursday after looking at the forecast. A friend at work has one and I couldn’t believe how powerful it is! When it gets to speed 100 it is like a hair dryer but cold lol. I showed my friend it and she actually stepped back in surprise at how powerful it is.

it isn’t cheap, but it’s worth every penny in my opinion.

https://amzn.eu/d/0diyx4vk

Thank you for this - I’ve just ordered some!

I work on the 3rd floor of a Victorian building so basically like being in an attic with no air con plus am menopausal too☹️.

@StormInaDcup99 what makes it different to putting any other towel in water ?

Ocoopa fans Amazon are also brilliant

Well I'm no expert lol. All I know is I find them great