City Issues Extreme Heat Alert

Sunday’s anticipated high would break the old record of 34.7C set on this day back in 1988.

Environment Canada has also issued a humidex advisory and as is often the case when the conditions are hot and sticky, a smog advisory is  in effect for southwestern Ontario. The air quality in Toronto is listed as “good”.

City health officials are urging you to keep yourself hydrated in the heat by drinking plenty of water or natural fruit juices and to check in on your elderly friends and neighbours who may have trouble coping in the sweltering conditions.

The elderly, young children, the chronically ill and those taking medication are especially vulnerable when the temperatures reach these levels and the city has opened four cooling centres to ensure everyone has a place to stay comfortable.

Here are the locations:

• Metro Hall, 55 John Street (John and King)
• East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Avenue (Coxwell and Mortimer)
• Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall (Burnhamthorpe and Hwy 427)
• North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street (Yonge and Sheppard)

Metro Hall will be open 24 hours while the three civic centres will be open between 11am and 7pm.

Here is a list of tips, courtesy of Toronto Public Health, on how to stay healthy and cool in the hot weather:

• Drink lots of water and natural juices even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and cola.
• Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat when possible. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible and plan to go out early in the morning or evening when it is cooler and smog levels may not be as high as in the afternoon. Wear a hat.
• Take advantage of air conditioned or cool places such as shopping malls, libraries, community centres or a friend’s place.
• If you don’t have air conditioning, keep shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home, but keep windows slightly open.
• Keep electric lights off or turned down low.
• Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
• Wear loose fitting, light clothing.
• Avoid heavy meals and using your oven.
• Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.
• Never leave a child or a pet in a parked car or sleeping outside in direct sunlight.
• Fans alone may not provide enough cooling when the temperature is high.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding side effects of your medications.

Pets

It’s also important to remember your pets in the extreme heat. The Toronto Humane Society says the temperature inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels within minutes, even on a mild day.

Here are some tips, courtesy of the Toronto Humane Society, on caring for your four-legged friend in the sticky conditions:

Leave your pet at home! Even if you think you’re going in to the store for a second, you may get held up unexpectedly and then your pet is left to literally roast in the car.

Never transport pets in the back of a pick-up truck: Your pet is at risk of serious injury in case of accident or a fall from the vehicle. In summer, the metal truck bed can easily burn your pet’s paws.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion: restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, vomiting, dizziness, lack of coordination and glazed eyes. If you recognize any of these symptoms- immediately get him to a cool place, give him fresh water and call your veterinarian.

If you see a dog in distress: Write down the car’s make, model and plate number. Have the owner paged in nearby stores and parking lots. Immediately call The Toronto Humane Society (416) 392-2273, Toronto Animal Services (416) 338-PAWS or Toronto Police Services 911 or (416) 808-2222 or Crime Stoppers (416) 222-TIPS.

Think you know everything about the heat from living through so many Toronto summers? Here’s are some questions with some familiar – and sometimes surprising – answers.

Q. Is it hotter in the city?
A. Yes, thanks to an urban heat island effect that makes the city hotter than the surrounding rural areas and even the surrounding suburbs. Masses of stone, brick, asphalt, and cement absorb heat in the day and radiate it during the night contributing to warmer nights. And there are fewer trees to provide shade.

Q. Is the effect of heat more severe during heat waves?
A. Yes. Research suggests high temperatures for several days in a row lead to increases in deaths. But your body gets used to hot weather over a few weeks and if the same weather conditions were present later in the year fewer deaths would occur.

Q. How many people die each year in Toronto from heat?
A. Toronto Public Health, in partnership with scientists from McMaster University and the federal government, completed a major investigation of the combined impacts of weather and air pollution on mortality in 2005. The study examined the combined effects of extreme temperatures and air pollution over a 46-year time period (1954-2000) in four Canadian cities (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Windsor). In 2005, the Coroners Office reported the death of five people in Toronto that were heat related.

The study revealed that extreme heat/cold temperatures and air pollution were associated with premature deaths in all four cities. In an average year in Toronto between 1954 and 2000, 120 premature deaths were heat related. On those few days of the year with extreme heat, the average daily deaths was almost twice as high as for comfortable days. Heat-related death was significantly higher for the elderly and those with cardiovascular illness than other individuals.

Q. What are some of the symptoms of heat related illness?
A. Some of the symptoms of heat related illness include:

• Rapid breathing
• Weakness or fainting
• More tiredness than usual
• Headache
• Confusion

If you become ill, faint, have difficulty breathing or feel confused and disoriented, call your doctor or go to your nearest hospital right away or call 911.

Q. What can I do to help someone with heat related illness?
A. Call 911 and :

• Remove excess clothing from the person.
• Cool the person with lukewarm water, by sponging or bathing.
• Move the person to a cooler location.
• Give the person sips of cool water, but not ice cold water.

Q. Are fans a good way to cool down?
A. Not always. The use of fans can cool down individuals under certain situations. In other situations the use of fans can cause heat related problems to become worse.
When fans are used in rooms where the temperature is hot and the windows are closed, they tend to cause people to feel the effects of heat sooner. This happens because the hot air is being moved by the fan over your body causes your body to fight against the heat by sweating more.
Don’t use a fan in a closed room without windows or doors open to the outside. And don’t have it blow extremely hot air on yourself. This can cause heat exhaustion to happen faster.

Q. Are young children affected the same way by heat as adults?
A. Infants and pre-school aged children are 3 to 5 times more sensitive to heat than adults. Young children have a smaller body surface area and don’t regulate their body temperatures as quickly as adults.

Q. How long do I need to stay in a cooling place to cool down?
A. Evidence suggests that even brief periods are sufficient to cool down. Going to a cool place in itself will reduce the risk from heat related illness because the person has been removed from the hot environment. It is equally important to drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Q. Should I be concerned about hot weather and taking medications?
A. Yes. You are at higher risk for heat-related illness if you take certain medications, especially if you are doing lots of exercise or heavy work and are not drinking enough water. Some medications make it harder for your body to control its temperature. Check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Some of the medicines that could put you a higher risk include:

• Psychiatric drugs (i.e. Lithium)
• Anti-parkinson drugs (i.e. Parsitan)
• Antidepressant drugs (i.e. Paxil)
• Some types of antihistamines (i.e. Benadryl)
• Over the counter sleeping pills (i.e. Nytol)
• Anti-diarrhea pills (i.e. Lomotil)

Courtesy of Toronto Public Health