During a heat wave, your health can deteriorate rapidly. You can take certain precautions to make yourself more comfortable and reduce the health risks for you and your loved ones.
- Make sure you drink enough fluids:
- drink a lot of water. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages, because alcohol can make dehydration worse.
- Cool off often:
- take a cool shower, a bath or take a dip in a swimming pool, if possible;
- Place a cool wet towel on your face, arms and neck, and spray cold water over your face several times a day;
- spend a few hours a day in an air-conditioned place or a cooler place in your home.
- Protect yourself from heat:
- reduce physical exertion;
- wear lightweight, light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing. Wear a wide-brimmed breathable hat;
- schedule your physical activities during the cooler parts of the day (such as before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.).
- Close the curtains or blinds when the sun is out. If possible, air your home at night when it is cool.
- Minimize your use of heat-producing appliances (stove, oven, clothes dryer, television, light fixtures, etc.).
- Stay in touch with your loved ones and do not hesitate to ask family and friends for help during periods of high heat:
- The most vulnerable people should regularly invite people over to visit (family, neighbours, friends).
- The loved ones of people who are elderly, frail or living alone should visit them regularly.
- Watch for heat warnings and follow the recommendations of Environment Canada or your region’s public health authority.
If your condition or that of a loved one worsens, or if you or a loved one is vulnerable to the heat, contact Info-Santé 811 for medical advice. In a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.