Two sanitation workers grab items from a personally-designed freezer for outdoor workers in Quzhou. [Photo/qz96811.com]

As Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province approaches the "dog days" of summer in mid-July, a series of "refrigerators of love" will be placed at six locations throughout the city, providing free cool water, bean soup, and herbal tea to outdoor workers to cool them down in the summer heat.                   

Since 2018, the "refrigerators of love" project initiated by authorities in Quzhou and supported by local enterprises and residents has become a part of the urban brand "A Model City of Virtue".

Starting in 2018, "refrigerators of love" locations have been set up in urban areas from July to September every year, providing free mineral water and other refreshing items for outdoor workers such as sanitation workers and delivery men. Over the past three years, the city has launched 20 personally-designed refrigerators and more than 50,000 bottles of cool water and drinks and has received more than 120,000 yuan ($18,522.67) in donations and more than 3,000 volunteers.

Tips for dealing with summer-heat

Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water. The sensation of thirst indicates that dehydration has already begun.

Do not drink too much water when you are thirsty. Your stomach will find it difficult to handle the elevated intake of water.

Choose the right clothing. Clothes that are breathable and dry easily, such as silk, cotton, and linen, are best.

Choose the right color. Light-colored clothes absorb less light. Loose and dark clothes are better when staying in shady and cool places because they can absorb heat and help the body dissipate heat.

Wear sun protection such as hats and sunglasses.

Have a light diet. Porridge and soup can help improve your appetite. Bitter foods such as bitter gourd, asparagus, and cabbage mustard can clear toxins and improve digestion.