A heat alert has been declared for Toronto today and will be in effect until further notice.
During a Heat Alert, there is a greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness for a number of groups, including:
- isolated adults and seniors
- people with chronic and pre-existing illnesses,
- infants and young children,
- people on certain medications and
- those who are marginally housed or homeless.
For family, friends and neighbours, especially the people in the above groups at risk, the City of Toronto encourages us to:
- call or
- visit them, and
- make sure they are cool and drinking plenty of fluids;
- “a few hours in a cooler environment during extremely hot weather lowers the core body temperature and helps save lives. “
Furthermore, landlords of buildings without air conditioning can help by providing a dedicated cooling room for residents to escape the heat.
And community agencies are encouraged to educate clients on the risks of heat-related illness and to call or check those clients at increased risk of heat-related illness during a heat alert.
Please note that when a Heat Alert is declared, those who need assistance or have heat-related inquiries may call the Canadian Red Cross Heat Information Line at 416-480-2615 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
You can “Beat the Heat” by taking these City-advised precautions:
- Drink lots of water or natural fruit juices – do not wait to feel thirsty.
- Go to air conditioned public places with the Cool Down Here signs posted, including shopping malls or one of many local libraries or community centres located in each neighbourhood.
- Wear loose fitting, light coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.
- Stay out of the sun.
- Reduce strenuous physical outdoor activity, especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Never leave the elderly, children or pets unattended in a car.
Please click here for more information on how to Beat the Heat.
Often high air pollution occurs during hot weather conditions.
Thus, people with heart and lung conditions as well as seniors and children should pay special attention to the hourly Air Quality Health Index levels and forecasts available at http://www.airhealth.ca.
Furthermore, Ontario is encouraging workplaces to make every effort to prevent heat stress, which can lead to worker illness, disability and even death.
Heat stress as an occupational hazard happens when working where it is hot puts stress on the body’s cooling system.
When heat is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, fluid loss, fatigue or some medical conditions, it could lead to serious consequences for the worker.
Employers must take steps to protect their employees from the effects of this heat stress hazard such as:
- reducing the temperature and humidity through air cooling;
- providing air-conditioned rest areas;
- increasing the frequency and length of rest breaks;
- scheduling strenuous jobs for cooler times of the day and
- providing cool drinking water near worker and remind them to drink a cup of water about every 20 minutes;
- assigning additional workers or slow down the pace of work; and
- training workers to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress and start a “buddy system” since people are not likely to notice their own symptoms.
Symptoms of heat stress can include excessive sweating, headache, rashes, cramping, dizziness and fainting.
Please note the following reasons for heat stress to be a life-threatening situation:
- Workers most at risk for heat stress include those in hot environments – such as smelters, furnaces, bakeries – and those who work outside in the summer.
- Prolonged exposure to heat stress can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition.
- The victims of heat stroke are often unable to notice the symptoms, and their survival may depend on co-workers’ ability to identify symptoms and to seek immediate medical assistance.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
News Release
August 1, 2011
Heat Alert declared
Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, has issued a Heat Alert for today. The Heat Alert will be in effect until further notice.
During a Heat Alert, the public is encouraged to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially isolated adults and seniors who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness, to make sure they are cool and drinking plenty of fluids. Other groups at risk include people with chronic and pre-existing illnesses, infants and young children, people on certain medications and those who are marginally housed or homeless.
The public is advised to “Beat the Heat” by taking these precautions:
— Drink lots of water or natural fruit juices; do not wait to feel thirsty.
— Go to air-conditioned places, including shopping malls or one of many
local libraries or community centres located in each neighbourhood.
— Wear loose fitting, light coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.
— Stay out of the sun.
— Reduce strenuous physical outdoor activity, especially between 11 a.m.
and 4 p.m.
— Never leave the elderly, children or pets unattended in a car.
Landlords of buildings without air conditioning are encouraged to provide a dedicated cooling room for residents to escape the heat. Community agencies are encouraged to educate clients on the risks of heat-related illness and to call or check those clients at increased risk of heat-related illness during alerts.
When an alert is declared, those who need assistance or have heat-related inquiries may call the Canadian Red Cross Heat Information Line at 416-480-2615 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Often high air pollution occurs during hot weather conditions. People with heart and lung conditions, seniors and children should pay special attention to the hourly Air Quality Health Index levels and forecasts available at http://www.airhealth.ca.
For more information on how to Beat the Heat, visit http://www.toronto.ca/health.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.