Some cool ways to keep cool

Whether you're stuck in a non-air-conditioned office rapidly becoming a sauna, or trying to keep yourself and your drinks cool…

Whether you're stuck in a non-air-conditioned office rapidly becoming a sauna, or trying to keep yourself and your drinks cool outside, here are five gadgets designed to keep you from becoming hot and bothered.

For anyone getting sweaty palms in this weather, have no fear, the Fanmouse is here. This handy little gadget, compatible with most types of Windows, has vents through which cool air comes, keeping your hands cool during those long hours in front of the computer. Made by a Japanese company, Clicknjoy, it should be available to order in Ireland soon through www.gizmodo.com

Sometimes the walk all the way to the office water-cooler can seem too much of a hike. Staying hydrated in this weather is still important, though, which is where the Desk Water Dispenser, priced at £16.95 from www.gadgets.co.uk, should come in handy. Only 50cm tall, with a 14-inch-square base, it can keep up to a litre and a half of water, the recommended daily amount.

Keeping your drinks cold in this weather, even when sitting outside, has just got easier with Frosty Beer Mugs. Made of durable acrylic, they contain a clear, non-toxic gel that freezes solid when left in the freezer.

READ MORE

Six beer mugs cost €30 at www.iwantoneofthose.com - they hold a pint each and are guaranteed to look a lot trendier than King of the Hill-style coolboxes.

There's the plain old-fashioned standing electric fan (otherwise known as what happens when your office doesn't have air-conditioning); the nifty hand-held fan, prone to running out of power; and there's the Kensington FlyFan Mobile USB Fan, which you can plug into your PC or laptop to receive a constant stream of cold air with minimal battery drain. You can order it for $19.95 at www.kensington.com

The ultimate way to stay cool has to be with your very own pool. Irish weather may make it not worth the money to install a proper swimming pool in the back garden, but the next-best thing has to be the Instant Pool, €185 from www.iwantoneofthose.com

Eleven feet long when fully inflated, it has a rechargeable pump that blows it up in less than three minutes, and deflates in under 60 seconds. It can hold 350 gallons of water and is elevated above ordinary paddling pools by having indentations in the side to hold your drinks.