Emergency Preparedness Week: Extreme Heat

Today is Day six of Emergency Preparedness Week.

Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity to encourage Canadians to take action to be better prepared to protect themselves and their families during emergencies.

We will highlight different possible events this week.

Extreme heat impacts all of us. Extreme heat can put your health at risk, causing illnesses like heat stroke and even death. It is important to take steps to protect yourself and your family.

Heat illnesses can affect you quickly and can lead to long-term health problems and even death. They are mainly caused by being over-exposed to extreme heat especially if you are doing too much for your age and physical condition. Heat illnesses include:

• heat edema (swelling of hands, feet, and ankles)

• heat rash

• heat cramps (muscle cramps)

• heat fainting

• heat exhaustion

• heat stroke
  

Over the next 30 years, the number of extremely hot days in a year is expected to more than double in some parts of Canada.

Follow these five steps to protect yourself and your family in very hot weather:

• Prepare for the heat

• Pay close attention to how you - and those around you - feel

• Stay hydrated

• Stay cool

• Avoid exposure to extreme heat when outdoors