Europeans paint windows white to beat the heat

Have you ever wanted to paint your window white? In Europe right now, many people are doing exactly that — and it really works!

Right now, Europe is very hot. The weather is much hotter than normal. People in cities and villages are looking for ways to stay cool. Some ideas are simple. Some are creative. All of them help.

One popular idea is to use chalk on windows. White chalk makes windows brighter. Bright windows stay cooler than dark windows. The sun bounces off white chalk. It does not go into the room. This keeps houses cold. Many families use this idea. Children even help paint the windows. It is fun and useful.

Other people use fans. Fans move air in rooms. Moving air feels cooler. Some people buy new fans. Other people find old fans at home. Fans use less energy than air conditioning. They cost less money too.

People also change their daily lives. They stay inside during the day. They go out in the early morning or late evening. They drink more water. They wear light clothes. They open windows at night when it is cooler.

Some cities help people too. Libraries stay open longer. They are cool places. Parks have water fountains for drinking. Some cities open swimming pools for free. Communities help each other find cool places to rest.

The heat is difficult. But European families are working together. They share ideas. They help neighbors. They stay creative and calm. Simple ideas like chalk on windows show us something interesting: sometimes the best solutions are the easiest ones.

What would you do to stay cool in very hot weather? Do you have a favorite way to beat the heat?

Inspired by reporting from BBC News.