How to sleep without AC during a heatwave: ‘This is genius, why have I never thought of this’

As the record-breaking heat wave in the Southwest begins to spread into parts of the Midwest and Northeast, people are turning to TikTok for hacks on how to stay cool — especially those living without air conditioning.

One particular hack, uploaded by user @keats67, garnered over 4.3 million views, 149,000 likes, 5,000 saves and 800 comments — and is being called “genius” by many viewers.

In the video, @keats67 demonstrates how a rubber water bottle can keep you cool on those hot summer nights.

By filling the bottle with cool water (but leaving room for expansion), then freezing the bottle, @keats67 shows users how to create a DIY bed-cooling system.

Considering that the optimal sleeping temperature in the bedroom for adults is between 60 and 67 degrees, according to the Cleveland Clinic, @keats67‘s hack is perfect for those battling hot temps at night.

“Yup, we use this in the tropical North of Australia when the humidity is high. Works well,” TikTok user @honestyjones007 responded to the hack in the comments.

“This is genius, why have I never thought of this,” wrote @hollielouiseborrell.

However, many users warned that by freezing the rubber water bottle, it might no longer be fit for hot water later.

“Have a summer bottle and a winter bottle. It can weaken the rubber and the last thing you want is it bursting with boiling water in it,” advised @jodiebee6.

But @keats67‘s video isn’t the only one helping TikTokers survive the record-breaking heat.

TikTok user @gabriel.nussbaum gained over 1.1 million views when he uploaded his video captioned, “Easy tricks to stay cool.”

In the video, @gabriel.nussbaum demonstrates how a little cool water can go a long way, and how curtains and a fan can be lifesavers when battling heat without AC.

How to stay safe during a heatwave

According to the Red Cross, extreme heat kills more people than any other weather event. To stay safe during high temperatures, they advise people to:

• Drink enough water to prevent heat illness (an average person needs to drink about 3/4 of a gallon of water daily)

• Take cool showers/baths

• Move to air-conditioned places (such as a public library, shopping mall, or a public cooling center)

• Wear lightweight, loose clothing

• Keep plenty of food, water and medicine on-hand

They also advise people to learn how to recognize and respond to heat illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the symptoms of heat stroke include:

• High body temperature (103°F or higher)

• Hot, red, dry or damp skin

• Fast, strong pulse

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Confusion

• Losing consciousness (passing out)

Signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Heavy sweating

• Cold, pale, and clammy skin

• Fast, weak pulse

• Nausea or vomiting

• Muscle cramps

• Tiredness or weakness

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Fainting (passing out)

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