Extreme heat: heat waves

Many places in Canada have a high number of extreme heat events, often called "heat waves." Extreme heat can put your health at risk, causing illnesses like heat stroke and even death. It is important to take steps to protect yourself and your family.

What are extreme heat events?
Extreme heat events involve high temperatures and sometimes high humidity. Although the level of temperature extremes may vary between regions, unusually high heat can have negative impacts on your health.

Health risks
Your body produces heat, especially during physical activity. Hot air, sun rays, and hot surfaces also heat your body. This heat is lost by contact with cool air and by sweat production, which cools your body as it evaporates.

Weather conditions play a big role in how your body regulates its temperature. For example, if it's windy, sweat evaporates faster, which helps to cool you. But high humidity slows down this process, contributing to increased body temperature.

Heat illnesses can affect you quickly, and can lead to long-term health problems and even death. They are mainly caused by being over-exposed to extreme heat especially if you are doing too much for your age and physical condition. Heat illnesses include:

• heat edema (swelling of hands, feet, and ankles)
  
• heat rash
  
• heat cramps (muscle cramps)
  
• heat fainting
  
• heat exhaustion
  
• heat stroke

• older adults
  
• infants and young children
  
• people with chronic illnesses (like breathing problems, mental illness, and heart problems)
  
• people who work in the heat
  
• people who exercise in the heat
  
• homeless people
  
• low-income earners
  

“The sun’s rays through glass are responsible for almost 20% of the load on your air conditioner,” says Michelle Sahlin, Managing Director of PAMA. “Awnings reduce direct solar gain through windows.”

In fact, as environmental awareness grows in the United States and consumers increasingly try to reduce their carbon footprint, retractable awnings continue to gain favor.

Association suggests that awnings can reduce heat build up as much a 77%, cut air-conditioning use by 25% and lower energy bills by approximately 100 hours per year.

Follow these five steps to protect yourself and your family in very hot weather:

• Prepare for the heat
  
• Pay close attention to how you - and those around you - feel
  
• Stay hydrated
  
• Stay cool
  
• Avoid exposure to extreme heat when outdoors
  

• Tune in regularly to local weather forecasts and alerts so you know when to take extra care.
  
• Arrange for regular visits by family members, neighbours or friends during very hot days in case you need help. Visitors can help identify signs of heat illness that could be missed over the phone.
  
• Find ways to keep cool before the hot weather starts. If you have an air conditioner, make sure it works properly. If you have ceiling fans or other fans they can help as long as the humidity isn't high. Find an air-conditioned spot close by where you can cool off for a few hours on very hot days. This will help you cope with the heat.
  
• Have cool drinks in your vehicle and keep your gas tank topped up.
  

• dizziness or fainting
  
• nausea or vomiting
  
• headache
  
• rapid breathing and heartbeat
  
• extreme thirst (dry mouth or sticky saliva)
  
• decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine
  
• changes of behaviour in children (like sleepiness or temper tantrums)
  

• moving them to a cool place, if you can
  
• applying cold water to large areas of their skin or clothing
  
• fanning the person as much as possible
  

• Remind yourself to drink water by leaving a glass by the sink.
  
• Flavouring water with natural fruit juice may make it more appealing.
  
• Eat more fruits and vegetables as they have a high water content.
  
• If you eat less, you may need to drink more water.
  
• Drink water before, during and after physical activity.
  

• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and a wide-brimmed hat made of breathable fabric.
  
• When you buy sunglasses, make sure they provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
  
• Take a break from the heat

• Make meals that don't need to be cooked in an oven.
  
• Block the sun by closing awnings, curtains or blinds during the day.
  
• If safe, open your windows at night to let cooler air into your home.
  
• If you have an air conditioner with a thermostat, keep it set to the highest setting that is comfortable (somewhere between 22ºC/72ºF and 26ºC/79ºF). This will reduce your energy costs and provide you with needed relief. If you are using a window air conditioner, cool only one room where you can go for heat relief.
  

• Take cool showers or baths until you feel refreshed.
  
• Use a fan to help you stay cool and aim the air flow in your direction.
  
• Spend a few hours in a cool place. It could be a tree-shaded area, swimming facility or an air-conditioned spot like a shopping mall, grocery store, or public library.
  

• When the outside air temperature is 23ºC/73ºF, the temperature inside a vehicle can be extremely dangerous - more than 50ºC/122ºF.

• Before heading out, check the Air Quality Health Index in your area, if available. Air pollution tends to be at higher levels during very hot days.
  
• Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler days, or choose a cooler location like a place with air conditioning or with tree shade.
  

• Tree-shaded areas can be as much as 5ºC/9ºF cooler than the surrounding area.
  
• Shade yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed, breathable hat, or using an umbrella.
  
• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.
  
• Wear sunglasses that have UVA and UVB protection.
  
• Use a sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher and follow the manufacturer's directions. Don't use sunscreen on a child less than 6 months old.

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