London, ON – With temperatures expected to climb to 31ºC by mid-afternoon Tuesday, the Middlesex-London Health Unit is issuing the sixth extreme temperature alert of the summer, this time an Extended Heat Warning, as it will remain in effect for four consecutive days. The current Environment Canada forecast calls for high humidex values for the next few days, warm evenings and daytime highs of, 31ºC, 32ºC, 33ºC and 33ºC for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, respectively. The Extended Heat Warning will likely be lifted on Friday afternoon, when cloudy conditions and rain are expected to bring some relief from the heat.

The Health Unit issues Extended Heat Warnings when:

• Temperatures are forecasted to be 31º Celsius, or higher with a minimum low of 20º Celsius or higher for three consecutive days, or;
• Forecasts calling for a Humidex of 40 or higher for three consecutive days.

Weather conditions which combine high heat and high humidity over several days, like those we’ll experience for the rest of the week, can have a serious negative effect on people’s health. The Health Unit recommends that people limit the time they spend outdoors during Extended Heat Warnings, that they avoid strenuous outdoor activity, seek shade or air conditioned spaces when they can and that they drink water to stay hydrated. Overexposure to heat and humidity can lead to symptoms of heatstroke, which include headache, confusion, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, and muscle or abdominal cramps. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should call 911 to seek emergency help.

To avoid heat-related illness, 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 too much time outdoors. If you must be outside, stay in the 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.

Be aware of, and watch for, these signs and symptoms of heat illness:

• 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 your residents:

• Provide residents with 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 a listing of City of London cooling centres, splash pads and times they are open please visit the city's web site at www.london.ca; and for the addresses of local libraries, please call 519-661-4600.

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.)

Spokesperson:
Randy Walker, Public Health Inspector, Middlesex-London Health Unit