The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reminding the community that it’s important to consider the heat when planning outdoor activities over the long weekend when temperatures are expected to rise. While Saturday’s expected high of 29º Celsius isn’t enough to trigger a Heat Warning, Environment Canada’s forecast for the London and Middlesex County region is calling for daytime high temperatures of 31º Celsius on Sunday and Monday, which will reach the Health Unit’s threshold for issuing a two-day Heat Warning. The Heat Warning will come into effect on Sunday, August 5th and will remain in effect until temperatures are expected to drop overnight into Tuesday, August 7th.

Heat Warnings are issued when one or more of the following criteria are met:
• Environment Canada issues a forecast calling for a day-time high of 31º Celsius or higher with a minimum day-time low of 20º Celsius or higher for two consecutive days, or;
• Environment Canada issues a forecast calling for a Humidex of 40 or higher for two consecutive days.

To avoid heat-related illness, follow these tips:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don't feel very thirsty. Remember to take sips often and not to guzzle your drink.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, coffee and cola.
• When possible, avoid spending too much time outdoors. If you must be outside, seek shade as much as possible. Plan outdoor activities in the early morning or evening.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
• Keep window shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home.
• Avoid turning on electric lights in the home.
• Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
• Wear loose fitting, light clothing.
• Avoid eating heavy meals and using your oven.
• Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.
• Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or sleeping outside in direct sunlight.
• Use fans to draw cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan as a primary cooling device during extended periods of excessive heat.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of any medications you are taking.
• Reduce the use of personal vehicles, stop unnecessary idling; avoid using oil-based paints and glues, pesticides and gas-powered small engines.

Anyone who finds they are suffering symptoms associated with extreme temperature conditions should seek medical attention immediately either by calling 911 or going to the nearest Emergency Department.

If you experience any of the following symptoms of heat illness, seek help from a friend, relative or a doctor:

• Rapid breathing
• Weakness or fainting
• More tiredness than usual
• Headache
• Confusion

You can help someone with heat illness by doing the following:

• Calling for help. Call 911, consult a healthcare provider or call Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000 or TTY at 1-877-797-0007);
• Moving the person to a cooler location.
• Removing excess clothing from the person.
• Cooling the person with lukewarm water, by sponging or bathing.
• Giving the person sips of cool water if they are not nauseated or vomiting. Do not give ice cold water.

As an owner or operator of residential buildings, landlords can take these actions to decrease the risk of heat-related illness to residents:

• Provide residents access to a cooler spot for several hours at a time (e.g. a common room with air conditioning or a basement area).
• Keep windows in hallways slightly open to allow air to circulate.
• Use fans to draw cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan as a primary cooling device during extended periods of excessive heat.
• Provide heat safety information to residents or post the information in common areas (e.g. by the elevator, in the lobby, etc.).
• Have building staff check on at-risk residents every few hours.
• Advise residents to drink lots of water and natural fruit juices, even if they don't feel thirsty.
• Ask residents to keep windows open and the drapes drawn.
• Keep lights off. Do not use stove or oven.
• Suggest residents cool down with cool baths, showers, foot baths or by placing cool, wet towels on their necks or underarms.
• Suggest tenants avoid midday sun or heat and go outside in the morning or evening when it is cooler.

For more information about extreme weather warnings, heat-related illness, and/or humidity visit: http://www.healthunit.com/extreme-heat.

For information about pet care please contact the London Animal Care Centre 519-685-1330 or visit www.accpets.ca.

For a list of Cooling Centres operated by the City of London during extreme heat events, visit: http://www.london.ca/residents/Recreation/announcements/Pages/Cooling-Centres.aspx

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Milne, Executive Assistant to the Board of Health & Communications, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext. 2448, or 519-617-0564 (cell.)

Spokesperson:
David Pavletic, Manager, Food Safety & Healthy Environments, Middlesex-London Health Unit