Extreme Heat

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• Drink plenty of water before you feel thirsty to help decrease your risk of dehydration.
• Keep your car's gas tank topped up. 
• Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle, especially when parked in direct sunlight. Ensure pets have plenty of water. 
• Help keep your home cool by:
  • Closing curtains and blinds during the day to help block heat.
  • Opening windows overnight to cool your home and closing them during the day.
  • Installing an air conditioner(s).
  • Replacing or upgrading weather stripping around windows and door.
  • Adding insulation to help keep heat out.
  • Installing an attic fan to clear hot air.
  • Purchasing or using a fan - if you have a basement, use the fan and point it up the stairs to circulate the cooler air.
  • Avoiding using your oven if possible on hot days, at it will heat up your home. If you have access to a BBQ, hot days are a great opportunity to cook outdoors. 

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• Avoid intense work or exercise in the heat or humidity where possible. If it cannot be avoided, be sure to take regular breaks, drink lots of water, and maintain salt levels in your body.
• Wear sunscreen. 
• Dress for the weather by wearing loose fitting clothing or clothing with UV protection, a brimmed hat, and UVA or UVB protected sunglasses. 
• If your home is too hot and uncomfortable, take cool showers or baths, or go to an air conditioned public space, like a grocery store. 
• Tune in regularly to local weather forecasts, or download a weather app to your phone so you know when to take extra care. 
• Check up on family, friends, or neighbours who are alone and do not have air conditioning. 
• Hydrate and protect yourself from heat-related illnesses. 
• Have a beach day - Tiny has several public beaches, and many also have water refill stations nearby. Visit www.tiny.ca/swimadvisory to see the status of Tiny's major beaches.

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Adverse health effects that can occur from exposure to excessive heat can include: 

• Heat rash: red or pink rash usually found on the neck, chest and/or elbow creases. 
• Heat cramps: painful muscle cramps. 
• Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and fainting. 
• Heat stroke: headache, dizziness, confusion, fainting and high body temperature; skin may be hot and dry or damp; this is a medical emergency - seek emergency help and cool the person down right away. 

Call 911 if you or others experience abnormal symptoms and watch for signs of serious medical conditions. Move immediately to a cool place and drink water if you experience any of these symptoms during hot weather: 

• dizziness
• fainting
• nausea or vomiting
• headache
• rapid heartbeat of breathing
• dehydration

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During an extreme heat event, everyone is at risk, but some groups are more vulnerable than others, such as: 

• infants and young children 
• people who are pregnant
• older adults
• people who live alone
• people with chronic medical conditions (i.e. heart disease, respiratory conditions, overweight, diabetes) or mental illnesses (for example, schizophrenia, depression, dementia) 
• people on certain types of medications (i.e. for high blood pressure, for mental illnesses, etc.) 
• people experiencing homelessness, those who are underhoused, or encounter other challenges in accessing cool spaces 
• people with limited mobility
• outdoor workers (particularly depending upon length, time, and exertion levels outdoors)
• people who work in places where heat is emitted through industrial processes (for example, foundries, bakeries, dry cleaners)
• people who exercise vigorously outdoors (play sports, cyclists, gardeners) 

If you or your family falls under one of these increased-risk categories, it is important to make an emergency plan that takes your needs into consideration.