London, ON – With humidex values in the mid-40s today, London and Middlesex County will experience the hottest, most humid and stifling weather the region has had in seven years. As the community endures its third day under the current Heat Alert, the Middlesex-London Health Unit is asking residents to check in on seniors, neighbours and loved ones to make sure they can get relief from the sweltering heat.

Since Monday, Middlesex Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has had 15 calls for patients short of breath, 13 calls for seizures, 12 calls for chest pains, and 60 calls for patients who were feeling generally unwell; many of these calls are likely related to the heat. In addition to these calls, EMS has had an average of 120 patient transports, or trips to hospital, per day over the last two days, which is slightly higher than the normal daily average of 110 patient transports.

"This is not just normal summer heat. This is when vulnerable people can start to die,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “That’s why it’s important to check in on family members, loved ones, neighbours and seniors to see how they’re doing and assist them to get to places they can cool off.”

Because the current weather conditions can lead to significant negative health effects, Middlesex EMS recommends calling 911 when symptoms of heat illness can’t be resolved easily.

“If you find someone who is showing signs of heat illness that can’t be resolved by moving to a cooler place, or taking a cool shower or bath, you need to call 911 right away,” says Jay Loosley, Superintendent of Education with Middlesex EMS. “These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, disorientation, fainting and rapid breathing.”

To avoid heat-related illness, please follow these tips:

• Drink plenty of water and natural juices 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.
• Where possible, avoid spending much time outdoors. If you have to be outside, stay in the shade as much as possible. Plan necessary outdoor activities in 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.

Friends and relatives can help someone with heat illness by doing the following:

• Move the person to a cooler location.
• Remove excess clothing from the person.
• Cool the person with lukewarm water, by sponging or bathing.
• Give the person sips of cool water if they are not nauseated or vomiting. Do not give ice cold water.
• If symptoms can’t be easily resolved, call for help. Call 911, consult a healthcare provider or call Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000 or TTY at 1-877-797-0007);

As an owner or operator of residential buildings, landlords can take the following actions to decrease the risk of heat-related illness in their 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.
• 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 complete information on heat-related illness, or the effects of smog and humidity please contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit at 519-663-5317 or visit Extreme Heat.

For a listing of City of London splash pads and times they are open please visit the city's web site at www.london.ca.

For the addresses of local libraries, please call 519-661-4600.

For 24-hour-a-day free advice from a Health Professional, call Telehealth Ontario, seven days a week at
1-866-797-0000.

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

Media Contact:

Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext. 2469, or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Jay Loosley, Superintendent of Education, Middlesex EMS, 519-679-5446 ext. 1103

Spokesperson:

Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit