Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health issued a heat advisory recently – which was sure not to be the last this summer.
Heat advisories are based on information provided by Environment Canada and are issued when the humidex reaches 40ºC for one day, or exceeds 36ºC for at least three consecutive days.
The humidex is the single number that represent a combination of temperature and humidity and is described as the way the temperature feels to the average person. The advisory extended to all communities in Wellington and Dufferin Counties.
People need to take care on days of extreme temperatures.
A heat alert is called by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health when the combination of high heat, high humidity, and other conditions can be hazardous to health.
Who is at risk?
Heat can be a risk for people who:
– work or exercise vigorously outdoors;
– are aged 65 or older, infants, and young children;
– take medications or have chronic heart or lung disease; or
– have risk factors such as obesity, fever, dehydration, poor circulation, and sunburn.
Protect health
People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to cool properly. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but sometimes that is not enough.
In those cases, a person’s body temperature rises quickly. Very high body temperatures can damage the brain or other vital organs.
When supervising children, be aware of the risks. Here is how to avoid heat-related illness.
Drink plenty of fluids
– water is the best choice;
– choose drinks that do not contain alcohol, caffeine, or high amounts of sugar because they can cause people to lose body fluid; and
– avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
Stay cool indoors
– keep the shades drawn and blinds closed;
– use the stove and oven less often; and
– spend a few hours at a library, gallery, mall or other building that is kept cool during the day, if the home does not have air conditioning.
For information about ways to protect yourself against extreme heat, visit www.wdghu.org.
