Public health officials in Midwestern Ontario are urging people to protect themselves against heat-related illness, as a multi-day heat event is expected to begin Sunday.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning with dangerous heat and humidity beginning Sunday afternoon. The national weather service is calling for daytime highs of 31 to 36 C, with humidex values in the 40s.
Extreme heat can impact anyone, but older adults, infants and young children, and those with chronic illness, are at the greatest risk, along with people who work, exercise, and live out in the heat. People who don't have air conditioning are also at an increased risk.
Huron Perth Public Health advised people to prevent illnesses from extreme heat by drinking plenty of cool liquids, especially water, avoiding going out during the hottest part of the day, and wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.
People can take a cool shower or bath for relief, or take a break in an air-conditioned space. Contact your municipality or call 211 for hours and locations of any nearby cooling centres. Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight, and check in on friends and family members.
Symptoms of heat illness include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid breathing and heartrate, extreme thirst, and decreased urination, or sleepiness. Those symptoms would require the patient to immediately move to a cool place and drink plenty of liquids.
Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, confusion, unconsciousness or the lack of perspiration. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if you are caring for someone with symptoms of heat stroke. While waiting for help, cool the person right away by moving them to a cool place, applying cold water to large areas of the skin or clothing, and fanning the person as much as possible.