Hot enough for you?

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE

************************* Ontarians urged to take special care during heat wave

Extreme heat expected to last most of the week

Ontarians are being reminded to take special care to prevent heat-related illness during the current heat wave in the province.

Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, is warning that heat puts stress on everyone.

Anyone can suffer heat-related illness when bodies are unable to compensate for the extreme temperatures and properly cool.

Those who are especially at risk include infants under one year of age, seniors 65 years and older, individuals on medication and people with chronic medical conditions.

With extreme heat expected in many areas of the province, Dr. King reminds Ontarians to pay attention to heat alerts issued by local public health units.

There are a number of things that people can do to prevent heat-related illness, including:

- Drinking plenty of water or natural fruit juices

- Wearing light, loose fitting clothes, a hat and sunscreen when outdoors

- Eating light, cool foods, and not using the oven or other hot appliances

- Staying in air conditioned rooms either at home, a friend's place or public spaces such as malls, libraries, specially designated facilities in the community

- Choosing to exercise in the early morning or late evening when it's cooler

- Checking up regularly on friends, family and/or neighbours who may be at high risk during a heat wave.

"When the weather gets extremely hot, everyone needs to pay attention to what we can do to protect ourselves. Heat stroke can be a serious illness," said Dr. King.

Quick facts

Symptoms of heat stroke include headache, dizziness, confusion or other altered mental state, and fainting.

Skin may become hot and dry, or there may be sweating due to high body temperature.

This is a medical emergency that can prove fatal if not treated.

Exposure to excessive heat can also cause cramps (usually in the legs or abdomen) and exhaustion that includes heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fainting.

Learn more

Find out more about what you can do during extreme heat here.

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