Staying Cool During Extreme Heat

Posted by ReyFort Media

Keep safe during heat waves with ways to stay cool and find shade.

Learn how to identify and prevent heat-related illnesses to protect yourself and others.

Know the warning levels

There are three formal warning levels aligned with ECCC’s colour-coded weather alerts. ECCC may also issue Special Weather Statements for early awareness and planning:

• Special Weather Statement (ECCC) issued for early awareness and planning (forecasted increased temperatures approaching warning criteria).
• Yellow Warning – Heat (ECCC issued for unusually high daytime and overnight temperatures are expected to reach forecast-region thresholds for at least 2 days.
• Orange Warning – Heat (ECCCin partnership with the BC HEAT Committee) issued for very high daytime and overnight temperatures are expected to exceed forecast-region thresholds for at least 3 days.
• Red Warning – Heat (ECCC in partnership with the BC HEAT Committee) issued for orange level temperatures with a pattern of substantive day-over-day temperature increases expected for 3 or more days. 

Surrey’s heat triggers are daytime highs of 32–33°C and overnight lows of 15°C. When those conditions are forecasted, ECCC may issue colour-coded heat alerts for Surrey and the broader Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley area. A Special Weather Statement may also be issued in advance when temperatures are approaching warning criteria.

Avoid heat-related illness

High heat can pose an immediate danger to your health, so do what you can to stay cool:

Drink water 

• Stay hydrated with plenty of water and other fluids.
• Drink water before you are thirsty.
• Avoid things like alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you.

Dress for the weather

• Wear lightweight, lightly coloured cotton clothing.
• Wear long sleeves to protect from the sun.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Be aware of heat-related illness

• Symptoms include thirst, dizziness, confusion, weakness and fainting or collapsing. See a full list of symptoms from Fraser Health.
• Check yourself, family members, and neighbors.
• Seek medical attention if sweating heavily, pale, cramping, fatigued, dizzy or having headaches/nausea.

Never leave children or pets alone in a parked car!
Temperatures can rise to 52°C (125°F) within 20 minutes in an enclosed vehicle when the outside temperature is 34°C (93°F). Leaving the car windows slightly open or “cracked” will not keep the inside of the vehicle at a safe temperature.

For medical attention

• Phone 9-1-1 for emergencies
• Phone 8-1-1 for health-related illnesses
• Phone 2-1-1 to connect with other services

More tips

• Wear sunscreen: Remember to reapply as needed.
• Find shade: Parks with tree shade are a good option Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
• Find shelter: Libraries, shopping malls, and recreation and community centres are cool places to take a break from the heat.
• Plan ahead: Knowing how to prepare for a heat wave ahead of time will help keep you safe during high heat.

Read more about how to prepare for heat season.