Ways To Beat The Heat. A heat wave has taken over many parts of the nation with at least 24 states under a heat advisory, and the warnings are rapidly spreading. I live in West Virginia and the heat is on, and has been on for a month. It is currently 88 degrees, but has a feel like temperature of 98. Temperatures are expected to reach into the upper 90s. To beat the heat, my family and I often make rice socks, and even make a cooling tie to beat the summer heat.

What is a Rice Cold Sock?
A rice sock is an easy way to stay cool without breaking your budget. You simply take a sock and fill it with rice. Throw the sock in the freezer and you have a ready-made ice pack. My family and I often sleep with them at night when the temperatures are high. Rice holds temperature longer than a regular ice pack, and you can even add scented oil to your pack for aromatherapy. The socks can be decorated with fabric on the outside, and even colored with markers. The socks are just as much fun to make as they are to enjoy.

What Is A Cooling Tie?
A cooling tie is an easy to make, and it is great to stay cool in the heat. The secret for the cooling tie or scarf is water absorbing polymer granules from your local garden center. All you need is fabric, polymer granules, and a sewing machine or needle and thread.

I think safety pins would also work to hold the tie together. You just take the fabric of your choice and cut it into a 7-inch rectangle and fold the tie in half. You can pin it with safety pins and insert about two teaspoons of the granules. The granules swell to about 200 percent of their size in water so you don't need a large amount.

You then sew the tie and soak it in water. I would let the tie soak in cool water for close to an hour, then pat it with a towel before wearing. You can look snazzy and stay cool too/ The kids love making these in all different types of fabric.

Source: yahoo