Be prepared

• Province of BC: Extreme heat preparedness guide
• Interior Health: Extreme heat

During the summer months in the Okanagan, it's not unusual to have hot temperatures. With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat-related illness increases. Extended periods of hot weather may result in:

• Heat warning - daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than seasonal norms, and holding steady. Take the usual steps to stay cool. 
• Extreme heat emergency - daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than seasonal norms and getting hotter every day. Activate your emergency plan.

• If you have air conditioning at home, make sure it is in good working order.
• If you do not have air conditioning at home:
  • Consider places in your community to spend time indoors such as libraries, community centres, movie theatres or malls.
  • Temperatures may be hotter inside than outside, consider outdoor spaces with lots of shade and running water.
• During the heat of the day, shut windows to prevent hotter outdoor air from coming inside and close curtains / blinds  to block the sun. During the evening and early mornings when it is cooler outside, open doors and windows to move that cooler air indoors.
• Ensure you have a working fan, but do not rely on fans as your primary means of cooling. Fans can be used evenings, overnight, and early mornings to draw cooler air indoors.
• Keep track of temperatures in your home using a thermostat or thermometer. Sustained indoor temperatures over 31°C can be dangerous for people who are susceptible to heat.
• If your home gets very hot, consider staying with a friend or relative who has air conditioning if possible.
• Identify people who may be at high risk for heat-related illness. If possible, help them prepare for heat and plan to check in on them.
• Pets are part of the family too. Make sure they have plenty of water and are with you in cool locations. When outside, stay in shady areas and avoid asphalt and pavement. Those surfaces can burn paws.

It is important to monitor yourself, family members, neighbours and friends during hot weather. Consider developing a check-in system for those who are at high risk of heat-related illness.

The most susceptible individuals include:

• older adults, especially those over 60
• people who live alone
• people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease
• people with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression or anxiety
• people with substance use disorders
• people with limited mobility and other disabilities
• people who are marginally housed
• people who work in hot environments
• people who are pregnant
• infants and young children

• Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty.
• Spray your body with water, wear a damp shirt, take a cool shower or bath or sit with part of your body in water to cool down.
• Take it easy, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
• Stay in the shade and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more.
• Take immediate action to cool down if you are overheating. Signs of overheating include feeling unwell, headache and dizziness. Overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, severe headache, muscle cramps, extreme thirst and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek a cooler environment, drink plenty of water, rest and use water to cool your body.
• Signs of heat stroke include loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting and very dark urine or no urine. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.