Extreme Heat Safety

• Drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water, before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.
• Drink more fluids regardless of your activity level.
• If possible, stay in an air-conditioned place when you are indoors.
• Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.
• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.
• Stock up on food and medications so you are not forced to go outside in the heat.
• If you are taking medication or have a health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it increases your health risk in the heat and follow their recommendations.
• If you don’t have air-conditioning, take shelter in the coolest room in your home and use a fan. Blowing a fan across a pan of ice water can create a cool breeze.
• Block sun out by closing awnings, curtains, or blinds during the day.
• Open your windows at night to let in cooler air.
• Never leave people or pets in your care inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight.
• Take a cool shower or bath.
• Prepare meals that don’t need to be cooked in your oven.
• If you go outside, seek cooler, breezier areas when outdoors, such as large parks near to water with lots of trees.
• Go to a nearby Cooling Centre, if open.

Heat illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet, and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps (muscle cramps). Symptoms can range from mild to extreme.

Watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include:

• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Rash
• Swelling, especially hands and feet
• Fatigue and weakness, light-headedness
• Confused thinking
• Dizziness or fainting
• Headache
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Rapid breathing and heartbeat
• Decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine.
• Extreme thirst

If you experience severe symptoms

• Let a neighbour or someone who can help you know how you are feeling.
• Call 911.
• Move to a cool place.
• Cool yourself with water and fanning.
• Apply cold water to large areas of the skin or clothing.

While extreme heat can put everyone at risk from heat illnesses, health risks are greatest for:

• older adults;
• infants and young children;
• people with chronic illnesses, such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions, or psychiatric illnesses;
• people who work in the heat;
• people who exercise in the heat;
• persons with no fixed address; and
• low-income earners.

You can help:

• Check on others if you can, especially those who live alone.
• Visit in-person so you can observe the symptoms of heat stress listed in above.
• If you cannot visit, contact them by phone or video, but be aware that some people may say they feel fine even when they have some severe symptoms
• Help anyone with symptoms by following the precautions listed above, including taking them to a Cooling Centre, if possible