| Heat Warning – 10 Tips to Stay Safe |
| Environment Canada has issued a Heat Warning for the Okanagan Valley. Read the alert HERE Please consider the below 10 tips from Interior Health Authority for staying safe and cool during extreme heat events: 10 Steps to avoid heat related illness Plan your outdoor activity before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m., to avoid the most intense sun. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids. Water is the best choice. Avoid physical work or exercise outside in the heat of the day. If you must work or exercise outside, drink two to four glasses of water each hour, even before you feel thirsty. Rest breaks are important and should be taken in the shade. Apply sunscreen to prevent sun burn, but remember this doesn’t protect from the heat. Stay in the shade, or create your own shade with lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, a wide brimmed hat, and/or an umbrella. If you’re struggling to keep cool, move indoors to an air-conditioned building or take a cool bath or shower. At temperatures above 30° C (86°F), fans alone may not be able to prevent heat-related illness. Never leave children or pets alone in a parked car. Temperatures can rise to 52° C (125° F) within 20 minutes inside a vehicle when the outside temperature is 34° C (93° F). Leaving the car windows slightly open will not keep the inside of the vehicle at a safe temperature. Regularly check older adults, infants and children, those doing a lot of physical activity or working outside, and people with chronic disease or mental illness for signs of heat-related illness. Make sure they are keeping cool and drinking plenty of fluids. Check on those who are unable to leave their homes, and people whose judgment may be impaired. |