To say the weather has been hot in Miami would be an understatement. Even before the arrival of summer, May 2024 proved to be the hottest on record for the month in terms of heat index, daily dew points, and overall temperatures. For two straight days, the heat index reached 112 degrees Fahrenheit, marking the third-highest heat index on record. That’s about as close to an inferno as it comes so early in the year. Imagine what comes next with summer in full swing. If last summer, when temperatures hit an average historical high, is anything to go by, then brace for a boiling and sticky season. In order to prepare for the worst, we’ve put together this short Miami summer survival guide with our top tips to manage the sizzling summer to come.
#1 Stay Hydrated
Stay hydrated sounds like simple advice, but it’s truly the most important. The human body sweats to stay cool. More specifically, when sweat evaporates, so does heat from the body. Think of sweat as the human body’s natural air condition system. Sweating, however, causes us to lose fluids, and if they aren’t replenished, dehydration strikes. Dehydration makes it harder for the body to sweat efficiently, which can lead to overheating and heat stroke. Some of the consequences of Dehydration include fatigue, headaches, constipation, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, dehydration can even be life-threatening.
#2 Dress Appropriately
Maimi summer temperatures call for the right dress solutions. Ditch the synthetic fibers that trap heat and moisture against the body. Go for natural fabrics like cotton or linen that allow the body to breathe. Also, consider moisture-wicking fabrics and/or quick drying clothes; they allow sweat away from your skin, keeping you cooler, dryer and more comfortable. Sun protecting clothing, offering UV protection from the sun’s harmful rays,, is another viable option. At the bare minimum, stick to lighter color clothing to deflect the sun’s heat while avoiding tight fitting clothes that trap heat and sweat.
#3 Shade & Sunscreen
Shade and sunscreen are critical. Put simply, the sun’s rays make everything hot and too much unprotected sun exposure is bad for your skin. This is no big secret, yet consider that sun burn also makes the body feel hot. Avoiding direct sun exposure for prolonged periods, especially at the peak hours between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. combined with a healthy dose of SPF 30 or above sunscreen is a must. Remember, sunscreen is one of the few proven ways to preserve your skin from aging. Likewise, protect the eyes from the sun using sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
#4 Water Activities
Take advantage of all the water activities Miami has to offer: ocean, pool, or otherwise. Water really does cool the body much faster than air. When under water, even if it’s just slightly cooler than your body temperature, heat is transferred from your body to the water, making you feel cooler. Then, when getting out, the thin layer of moisture left on your skin evaporates. This evaporation process absorbs heat from your body, providing an additional refreshing cooling effect. Just remember to apply rules 1 through 4 liberally when doing so.
#5 Lap Up the Air Con
Inevitably, the heat gets to everyone. On those occasions, seek refuge in an air-conditioned spot. Maybe visit a museum, shopping mall, or go to the movies for a break from the temperatures. Air Con doesn’t just lower temperatures, but also dehumidifies, which can be a real life saver in the Miami summer heat. Westland Mall, home to one of our stores, is a favorite spot to grab some cool air.
#6 Get the Gadgets
Why not take advantage of some of the technological gadgets out there to keep cool. Cooling towels, made from a special fabric that retains water while staying dry to the touch. After wetting the towel, ring the water out. Some water will remain that will help heat draw from the skin through evaporation. Or why not try more traditional devices, such as portable fans, or cooling gel packs. When temperatures really heat up in the Miami summer, use all three or any of the other products available.
#7 Indoor Exercise
Avoid exercising outdoors during peak heat hours. When the body fails to cool down fast enough, core temperatures can rise to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of heat stroke, dehydration, or worse. Opt for indoor exercise options, such as a gym or fitness class. Or, hit the swimming pool for some laps. Above all, listen to what the body is saying and take breaks whenever exercising to avoid overheating.
#8 Mind Your Pets
Many of the tips above apply to pets. But extra caution should be paid to other specific areas. Firstly, never leave a pet unattended in a car. Even with the windows cracked, temperatures can reach lethal levels. Second, make sure to protect pet paws during the peak heat hours. Either avoid walking with them altogether or cover their paws in pet booties to avoid burns. Third, don’t assume a pet is safe because of short hair. Apply pet-safe sunscreen to exposed areas, especially for lighter colored pets.
#9 Find Green Spaces
Aside from beaches and pools, Miami has some great public green spaces where shade is readily available. But parks are more than just about shade, trees and plants help cool the air through a process known as evapotranspiration. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and Matheson Hammock Park are some of our favorite spots in this regard.
#10 Eat Cool Miami Summer Snacks
As purveyors of Dippin’ Dots ice cream and ICEE frozen novelty drinks, this is by far our most favorite tip. Cold snacks, like ours, offer a refreshing sensation to help anyone beat the heat. Our range of flash frozen ice cream beads and frozen drinks offer maximum coolness compared to the rest. Head to our Westland Mall location, order online through our door to door partners for immediate delivery anywhere, or if you are hosting an event, provide maximum coolness with our catering services. Check out our website here for all the ways you can cool down with us this Miami summer.
About Total Snacks
Total Snacks’ mission is to always provide the highest quality snack food for people to enjoy wherever and whenever. The business began in 2015 by entrepreneurs Eleazar López Contreras and Mabe León-Ponte, a husband and wife team, who immediately noticed a lack of high quality snacking options around their new home in Miami, Florida. From its humble beginnings as a single retail kiosk, the couple has worked tirelessly and creatively to bring the best in class snack foods to the region.
Today, Total Snacks stands out as the premier provider of snack foods and catering in Miami. Its products can be found in over 300 independent outlets, the company provides contract catering solutions to some of the largest sporting and entertainment venues in the area, while bringing smiles to thousands of people a year through its corporate and private catering activities. Despite its success, Total Snack has never wavered from its core mission to offer the highest quality snack foods and the best customer service.
