With much of Australia in the midst of a heatwave that is forecast to worsen over the weekend, many people have retreated indoors to crank up the air-conditioning and fans.

But in NSW, the conditions have sparked concerns about potential power outages due to record high energy demands.

A warning from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) that power could be cut across the state has since been downgraded, but electricity is still in tight supply.

So what are the best ways to keep cool during a heatwave if the power cuts — or if you don’t have air-conditioning to start with?

We reached out to you for your best tips.

Use cold packs and frozen tea towels:

Keep it cool outdoors:

What about keeping pets cool?

It’s important to make sure animals are also kept cool and comfortable.

Here are some tips from the Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge’s animal coordinator, Jess Moody:

Remember, animals can succumb to heat stroke quickly — even in conditions that don’t feel too bad to a human.

How to keep cool when you’re at home:

This post originally appeared on News.