Environment Canada has issued a heat warning from now until the end of the weekend in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN). Residents are advised to be prepared to activate their personal heat plans and to stay safe and cool indoors during extreme heat by taking the following steps:
- Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated.
- Take it easy, especially during the hottest hours of the day (generally 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
- Seek cooler indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Check in on neighbours, friends, family members and at-risk individuals.
- If you have air conditioning, be sure to turn it on.
- Take a cool shower or put part of your body in a cool bath.
- Wear a wet shirt or apply damp towels to your skin to cool down.
- If you do not have air conditioning, keep your home cooler by shading the windows from the outside using awnings or shutters or from the inside using curtains or blinds.
- Close windows and pull indoor/outdoor shades/blinds by 10 a.m. to trap the cooler air inside and block the sun.
- Open windows and doors at around 8 p.m. to let the cooler, overnight air into the house.
- Use multiple fans to help move cooler air into the home overnight.
- It is important to know that:
- Overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Visit the RDN’s extreme weather webpage for the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms.
- Fans alone cannot effectively lower core body temperature, especially for older adults.
For those who need relief from the heat, there are several locations in the RDN with cooling spaces that are regularly open to the public including libraries, shopping centres and recreational facilities. Please refer to the accompanying list of locations.
For more information and resources, please visit rdn.bc.ca/extreme-weather. For tips on heat safety as well as symptoms and treatment for heat-related illness, visit islandhealth.ca. During extreme weather emergencies, the RDN will issue an emergency alert. To receive these free alerts directly via phone, email, text or app, sign up at rdn.bc.ca/voyent-alert.