Safety First

• Although they are designed for use on the floor, box fans are not always very stable. In fact, most can be easily tipped over if you brush up against one or if a child pushes on one. Check the fan for frays on the cord, and ensure the screen is tight enough to prevent fingers from getting near the blade. Some older models may not have a small enough weave to prevent an accident from happening. Turn on the fan, and see that the blade does not rattle or wobble. Box fans that are unsafe in any way should not be used.
  
  

Air Movement

• Box fans do not cool the air; they simply move it around. To encourage the movement of air, place a box fan in front of an open window with the front of the fan facing the inside of the room, which will draw outside air in. Do not try to place it on or in a window because it won't be very stable. This method works best to cool a room at night when the air outside the home is usually cooler than it is indoors. During the day, you can turn the fan around, and let it vent the hot air out of your house.
  
  

Cool Air

• Box fans may not always cool down the air by themselves, but you can do a few things to cool the air down before the fan blows it into the room. To do this, you need to place something cold between you and the fan. One way is to simply place a damp towel over the front of the fan (taking care not to get it too wet as the fan is electrical and there is a risk of electric shock). For a longer-lasting solution, fill a shallow tray full of ice, and set it on the floor (or on a chair) in front of the fan. For an even greater effect, place some ice in the middle of a towel. Twist up the towel so the ice is secured in the middle. Tie each end of the towel to a chair. Put the fan right behind the middle of the towel where the ice is, and turn it on. The air will cool when it hits the ice.
  
  

Other Tips

• Use your fans wisely. If you have two or more box fans, position them so that they circulate a breeze through the room. Remember that they are portable; move the box fan as you move around the house so that you are comfortable in any room. And when you do settle in for the night, don't be afraid to lift the fan so that it can blow directly on you as you are sleeping. Just ensure that you provide a steady base for it.