Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health has issued an Extended Heat Warning starting July 4, 2020 for Halton Region as a result of Environment Canada continuing its Heat Warning. An Extended Heat Warning is issued when the daytime temperatures are expected to reach at least 31 degrees Celsius with overnight temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius for three or more days, or when the humidex is expected to reach 40 for three or more days. Exposure to these weather conditions can cause serious health problems. This warning is intended to inform the general public and community agencies, to keep residents safe and healthy during the heat and to recommend that precautions are taken when temperatures are high.
“Halton Region wants all its residents to have a safe and healthy summer,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region. “Heat-related illnesses can affect anyone. Symptoms include dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, rapid breathing and heartbeat, extreme thirst and decreased urination. If you experience any symptoms as a result of heat exposure, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids, ideally water.”
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 if someone has a high body temperature and is unconscious, confused or has stopped sweating. Cool the person as best you can while waiting for medical attention to arrive.
Some of the locations that provided relief from heat such as libraries and community centres, may not be available due to COVID-19. Therefore, it is extremely important that you check-in regularly, by phone or video, with vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own, to make sure they are staying cool and hydrated. This includes:
- older adults (over the age of 65), infants and young children, people who work and exercise in the heat, people without adequate housing and those without air conditioning
- people who have breathing difficulties, heart problems, kidney problems or take heat-sensitive medications
If phone or video is not possible, when checking-in with vulnerable individuals, remember to practice physical distancing and wash your hands regularly. If physical distancing is difficult to maintain, wear a non-medical mask.
Weather and heat information are available on local radio and television stations and the Environment Canada Weather Conditions and Forecast webpage. For information and tips on how to protect your health during heat warnings, including a listing of air conditioned locations in Halton, and to sign up for email alerts, please visit our Heat Warning webpage at halton.ca or call 311.
The Regional Municipality of Halton serves 580,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, call 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at halton.ca.