EcoWaste Coalition Shares Tips to Manage Heat Risks as Mercury Rises

Hazardous heat indices to persist across the country, posing serious health risks with prolonged exposure.

14 April 2026, Quezon City. With temperatures hitting dangerous levels, the environmental watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition has listed practical tips to keep your bodies and homes cool and safe, and manage extreme heat risks.

Echoing the advice from the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the EcoWaste Coalition shared heat stress avoidance tips to beat the intense summer heat. Taking a cue from the viral upbeat song "Hawak mo ang Beat," the group said, "kakayanin ang heat" by staying cool and safe.

Here are some ideas to keep your body cool and safe during the sizzling summer:

1. Drink water proactively to stay cool and prevent dehydration.

2. Carry a refillable water bottle wherever you go to stay hydrated and cut down on plastic waste.

3. Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, and sugary drinks as they can exacerbate dehydration.

4. Choose hydrating snacks like fresh, water-rich fruits in season over fatty, salty, and sweet processed snacks.

5. Eat light and smaller meals to keep body temperature down.

6. Stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest time of the day, usually between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

7. Be aware of your body's limits and stay out of the heat to reduce risks.

8. Seek shade and cover up with a bandana, hat, umbrella, or “Good Morning” towel if you must go outside. Bring a pamaypay (fan).

9. Wear breathable, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothes.

10. Wear UV-protective sunglasses to reduce glare and protect your eyes from sun damage.

11. Be alert to symptoms of heat exhaustion, and seek help when feeling unwell.

12. Apply a cold, damp cloth on your forehead, neck, and underarms for instant relief.

13. Avoid, if not quit, smoking and/or vaping as nicotine and other chemicals can increase body strain, raising the risk of heat-related ailments.

14. Inhale-exhale to cool down and lessen stress.

15. Keep a calm, joyful, and positive mindset to reduce summer irritability and avoid stress.


And to keep your home cool amid the sweltering heat, try 1these tips:

1. Keep windows open if appropriate and safe to allow continuous air circulation, but use light curtains or blinds when there is direct sunlight. Screened windows are ideal to improve airflow while preventing mosquitoes.

2. Coat your roof with lead-safe white paint to deflect the sunlight and lower indoor temperatures.

3. Spend more time downstairs, farther from the roof.

4. Tidy up your home of non-essential things that consume space and block the air.

5. Use indoor plants to enhance air quality and cool the indoor environment.

6. Maximize use of natural light; turn off unnecessary lights and appliances as these emit heat and cause indoor temperature rise.

7. Point portable fans toward windows or doors to purge trapped heat, creating a cooler environment.

8. Schedule heat-generating chores such as cooking and ironing in early morning or at night, and avoid doing them during peak heat hours when possible.

9. Use gray water to clean or cool outdoor surfaces.

10. Keep the air clean by not burning waste. Segregate at source, repair, reuse, recycle, and compost instead.


Weather experts have warned that dangerous heat index levels will persist across the Philippines throughout April-May 2026.