Extreme Heat

Symptoms of heat-related illness can range from mild to severe, including:

• Pale, cool, moist skin
• Heavy sweating
• Fatigue and weakness
• Dizziness and/or fainting
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Rash
• Swelling, especially hands and feet
• Rapid breathing and heart rate
• Extreme thirst
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Fever, greater than 40 c
• Confusion and decreased mental alertness
• Hallucinations
• Red, hot, dry skin
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness/coma

HealthLink BC

Learn more about heat-related illnesses from HealthLink BC.

• Never leave children or pets alone in a parked car. Leaving the car windows slightly open will not keep the inside of the vehicle at a safe temperature. 
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids even before you feel thirsty.  
• Avoid tiring work or exercise in hot, humid environments. If you must work or exercise outside, drink two to four glasses of non-alcoholic fluids each hour. Take breaks from the heat in shaded environments.
• Keep cool. Stay indoors in air-conditioned buildings, or take a cool bath or shower. At temperatures above 30oC, fans alone may not prevent heat-related illness. If your house is too hot, consider going somewhere cooler.
• Regularly check on older adults, children and others for signs of heat-related illness and make sure they are keeping cool and drinking plenty of fluids. Check on those who are unable to leave their homes and people with emotional or mental health concerns whose judgement may be impaired.
• Avoid outdoor activity during the hottest times of day. Plan your outdoor activity before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
• Wear lightweight clothing that is light-coloured, loose fitting and breathable. Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella for shade.
• Limit sun exposure and avoid sunburn - use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Remember, sunscreen will protect you from sunburn, but not from the heat.
• Take shelter from extreme heat. Seeking shelter from extreme heat helps to reduce your risk of heat-related illness. If possible, seek shelter that has a functional air conditioning system. Examples of cooler spaces that may be available in your community include:
  • Museums 
  • Libraries
  • Community centers
  • Shopping malls
  • Movie theatres
  • Parks with shaded areas
  • Swimming pools
  • Coffee shops

When recognized early, most mild heat-related illnesses can be treated at home. Home treatment for mild heat exhaustion may include: 

• Move to a cooler and shaded environment
• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic fluids even before you feel thirsty
• Take a cool shower, bath or apply a cool cloth on the skin
• Rest
• Wear lightweight clothing

If symptoms last longer than one hour, get worse or cause concern, contact your health-care provider.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency – call 9-1-1 if you or a person you are caring for has high body temperature, confusion and/or is unconscious. If possible, move the person to a cool, shaded environment and apply cool water to the skin until help arrives.

We can support communities across the region to reduce the impact of extreme heat events by developing a HARS. Specifically, we can:

• Provide heat and health resources for community heat response communications
• Support the engagement of stakeholders in heat response planning and implementation

To learn more about how IH can support your community to develop a HARS, please contact your Healthy Community Development Team at hbe@interiorhealth.ca.

• Heat Alert and Response Planning Toolkit for Interior BC Communities (Interior Health, 2020)
• Guidance for Community Cooling Centres During B.C.'s Restart Plan​ (BCCDC, 2021)
• Developing a Municipal Heat Response Plan: A Guide for Medium Sized Municipalities (BCCDC, 2017)
• Health Canada Resources: Extreme Heat - Heat Waves