The summer is a time to enjoy life outdoors, especially here in the glorious 705. But it’s also important to enjoy summer safely. Extreme heat poses a real health risk, so here are some things to keep in mind to stay safe while enjoying your summer:
Extreme heat events, or heat waves, pose serious health risks. If you aren’t prepared, your risk of heat-related illness goes up. These illnesses can affect you quickly and lead to long-term health problems and even death. Heat illnesses can affect you quickly and are mainly caused by overexposure to heat or overexertion in the heat. It can be easy to miss the signs when you’re having fun, so it’s important to be familiar with them.
Know your risks
Hot temperatures can be dangerous, especially if you have:
- breathing difficulties
- heart problems
- hypertension
- kidney problems
- a mental illness
- Parkinson’s disease
If you are taking medication or have a health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it increases your health risk in the heat and follow their recommendations.
Signs and symptoms of heat illness include:
- dizziness or fainting
- nausea or vomiting
- headache
- extreme thirst
- unusually rapid breathing and heartbeat
If you experience any of these symptoms during extreme heat, immediately move to a cool place and drink water.
While waiting for help, cool the person right away by:
- Directly applying cold water to the person’s skin or clothing.
- Fanning the person as much as possible.
Never leave people or pets in your care inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight. Even on cooler days when the outside temperatures are moderate, the temperature inside a vehicle can be dangerously hot.
Drink plenty of water before you feel thirsty. Thirst isn’t a good indicator of dehydration. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.
Have a summer wardrobe ready. This includes loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric. Shade yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed, breathable hat or using an umbrella. When you buy sunglasses, make sure they provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Before going to outdoor events or engaging in outdoor activities, tune in to local weather forecasts and alerts so that you know when to take extra care. Rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler parts of the day will help prevent you from overheating. And don’t forget the sunscreen!
By understanding the risks and signs of heat-related illnesses at outdoor events, you can set yourself up to enjoy them more safely this summer. Learn more at canada.ca/heat.
