Baby it’s hot out there, prompting Environment Canada to issue a heat warning for local residents for today and Wednesday.
As a public service, Chatham-Kent Public Health is offering tips to stay cool, as the hot, humid weather poses a significant health risk to humans.
Cooling centres have opened at up at all municipal offices and libraries, as well as at Hope Haven at 183 Wellington St. in Chatham as indoor temperatures can also reach dangerous levels if the dwelling has no air conditioning.
According to CKPH, the human body may not be able to cool properly due to the increased heat and humidity, which can lead to heat-related illness, including heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.
Those at greatest risk include older adults, infants and children, people with chronic illness, the physically impaired and people taking medications affected by heat sensitivity.
However, healthy people can also be affected if they participate in strenuous activities without taking precautions.
Symptoms of heat stress related conditions include rapid breathing, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, extreme thirst and decreased dark urine. If you experience any symptoms, move to shaded area or into air conditioning, drink plenty of fluids, and rest. Contact your local health-care provider, a friend or family members.
CKPH would like to remind citizens that heat strokes are a medical emergency and that anyone experiencing symptoms should call 911. Family and friends are also asked to check on vulnerable residents.
Other tips to prevent illness include:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
- Never leave people or pets in a parked car
- Seek cooler or air-conditioned spaces
- Contact your health-care provider to see if your medications increase the health risk from heat
- Check on older adults to make sure they are staying cool
- Wear light-weight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing
- Take cool showers or baths, or use cool-wet towels on your face, neck and arms
- Avoid strenuous activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Avoid going out in the sun, if possible, but if you have to, wear sunscreen
- Avoid heavy meals and using your oven
- Keep curtains closed to block sun during the day
Those who are experiencing homelessness during this warning and need further assistance, such as transportation to a cool location, can all the Homeless Response Line at 519-354-6628 of a 24/7 basis.
