Extreme Heat

When temperatures reach the specified regional criteria triggers for a heat warning or an extreme heat event, the ECCC will issue a special weather statement. Heat warnings will be issued on the ECCC weather alerts webpage and on the WeatherCAN app. Extreme heat emergencies will be alerted through a Broadcast Intrusive Alert via EMBC Alert Ready.

The issuing of a Heat Warning or Extreme Heat Emergency should activate a series of actions by different ministries, levels of government, public health organizations, and professionals, as well as the general public. Tables containing key messages and recommended actions are provided in the BC HARS for consideration when preparing for and responding to the different heat alerts. They are meant as a tool to initiate heat planning, or to complement and support more robust heat plans, ultimately building more resilient communities for the years ahead.

Examples include:

• Leading into a heat wave or extreme heat event: This may include education about the risks of extreme heat, precautions to take, signs of heat illness to watch for, and recommended times to stay indoors/outdoors.
• At the peak of a heat wave or extreme heat event: This may include recommendations for outdoor workers, Sunscreen SPF and hydration recommendations, ideas about where to seek air conditioning/shade, suggestions to check in on family members or vulnerable individuals, and what to do if you suspect you or someone you know has heat stroke.
• Leading out of a heat wave or extreme heat event: This may include recommendations on easing back into physical activity, continuing to monitor for heat illness or dehydration, and continuing to use caution as indoor temperatures may remain high (despite a drop in outdoor temperatures).

Those at higher risk include:

Age:

• Seniors ages 65 years or older
• Infants and young children

Working Conditions:

• People who work outdoors
• People wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in places not temperature controlled
• People who perform manual labour

Health Status:

• People with chronic poor health, heart problems, or breathing difficulties or diabetes
• People on certain medications
• People who are pregnant
• People with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety
• People with substance use disorders
• People with limited mobility

Living Conditions:

• People who live alone or are socially isolated, homeless, or unsheltered
• People with low income
• People living in homes with poor temperature control
• People living in areas without access to green space

Mental Health and Substance Use:

• People living with substance use fact sheet
• People living with mental health fact sheet

Visit HealthLink BC's Heat-related Illness webpage

There are a number of steps you can take to prepare for extreme heat. For example:

 Your Home

• Identify a cooler space in your home to sleep at night.
• Find an air-conditioned place to cool off on very hot days (e.g., stay with family and friends, visit a museum, movie theatre, library, or shopping mall).
• Check that you have a working fan/air conditioner (if you have one).
• Practice opening doors and windows to move cool air in at night and shutting your windows to keep the sun out during the day.
• Get a digital room thermometer to check the temperature of your home so you know when it is getting too hot.

Your Friends and Family

• Think of people who might be more susceptible to heat and develop a buddy system – check in with your hot weather buddy often, especially in the evenings when indoor temperatures are highest, and in the morning to see how they managed throughout the night.
• If your home is cooler, invite those who are at highest risk to stay with you.

 Your Health

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you take regular meditations to understand if it increases your health risk in the heat.
• Understand the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness so you can identify them right away. Take immediate action to cool down and call for help if needed.

Keep your home cool by:

• Opening windows when the outdoor temperature goes down below the indoor temperature at night
• Shut windows and close curtains/blinds to keep cooler air in and the sun out
• Avoid making meals using the oven
• Important: If you are experiencing extreme heat during an air quality advisory, prioritize cooling down. Heat is typically more dangerous than short-term exposure to poor air quality.

Keep your body cool by:

• Wearing a damp towel or shirt
• Taking a cool bath or shower
• Putting an ice tray in front of a fan
• Using a personal mister or spray bottle
• Drinking lots or water
• Lowering your activity level and avoiding intense activities
• Important: While fans can help you feel more comfortable, they do not work to lower body temperature for older people at temperatures over 35C.

Do your best to take care of high-risk individuals by:

• Visiting them to check their indoor temperature
• Encouraging them to take cool baths and sleep in their coolest room
• Invite them to your house if you have air conditioning
• Never leave children, dependent adults, or pets along in a parked car (leaving windows open will not help).

Severe heat illness and heat stroke are medical emergencies. Call 9-1-1 if you are caring for someone with signs or symptoms of severe heat-related illness. Symptoms of severe heat-related illness include:

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Faint or loss of consciousness
• Confusion or disorientation
• Difficulty speaking
• Movement and coordination problems
• Lethargy
• Not sweating
• Hot, flushed, or very pale skin
• Not urinating or very little urinating
• Rapid breathing and faint, rapid heart rate
• Body temperature >39°C (102°F)

While waiting for help to arrive, you can help cool the person by:

• Moving them to a cool place, if possible
• Remove excess clothing
• Apply cold water, wet towels or ice packs around the body, especially the neck, armpits, and groin

Symptoms of mild to moderate heat-related illness include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Irritability
• Light-headed or dizziness
• Disorientation
• Thirst or dry mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue, malaise
• Heat rash, heat edema, or heat cramps
• Decreased urine output
• Increased heart rate
• Skins feels very warm and sweaty
• Body temperature >38°C (100°F)

Mild to moderate heat-related illness can quickly become severe. Contact a healthcare provider or HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 if you are unsure. If symptoms worsen, call 9-1-1.

Learn more about the signs or heat-related illness