We're not a med mag, by the way, but here's "common sense" when the thermo hits 35°C and above...

• Turn on the aircons. Do watch it, though. Turning a zillion on in the same room may have the Grid Gods begging on their knees as you overload the electricity grid.

• Get enough gas for your car. The in-car aircon uses up a great chunk of gas, and your only way to make sure the aircon's always on is to make sure it's got something to burn off of. Expect less efficient mileages and way more gas consumption than usual, especially inside — say — the 4th Ring.

• Overhydrate yourselves. Don't wait for thirsty lips to be your excuse for your helping of mineral water. Don't buy into Coke. That thing just makes you thirstier and thirstier.

• Do watermelons. They chill you down (especially if you subscribe to traditional Chinese medicine) and also taste great. As an added bonus, they rehydrate your thirsty body.

• Stay indoors from 11:00 through to 14:00. And if you must go out, wear sunglasses. Take them off, though, when talking to folks. It's much more polite that way.

• Watch the elderly and the kids. They're really sensitive to this heatwave thingy...

• Finally, watch the T-storms. They could be in any time now... common sense then: no mobile phones (save your text to your girlfriend for later), no iPods (ear electrocution? No thank you...), and don't swim or hide underneath a tree. Use only unplugged laptops, by the way.

By the way, if you're an employer with a heart, you could think about letting your fellow coworkers off work -- or work from home... hint hint. (Your Beijingologist, though, will always work in the comfort of -- somewhere with aircons and wifi.)

A rare case of malware has taken the Beijingology.com page hostage, and the linked Twitter account @Beijingology seems to be hanging by its last legs as it suspends itself into thin air. Oh well, there's still hope: follow David on Twitter to find out more about the Jing -- especially if it's got something to do with the Beijing Subway!