If you have plans to go outside this weekend, perhaps reschedule, or adjust them.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a heat warning for Stratford, Mitchell and southern Perth County.
The warning shows daytime highs could go up to near 30 degrees celsius, with the humidex ranging from 35 to 39 from Saturday to Monday.
Huron Perth Public Health says heat warnings are issued when high temperature or humidity conditions meet criteria from Environment Canada and are “expected to pose an elevated risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.”
“While extreme heat can affect everyone’s health, the risks are greatest for older adults, infants and young children, people with chronic illnesses, such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions, or psychiatric illnesses, people who work in the heat, people who exercise in the heat, people experiencing homelessness, and people with low income,” Huron Perth Public Health said on Friday.
“Heat-related illnesses are preventable. Huron Perth Public Health recommends you take measures to protect yourself and others from over-exposure to extreme heat.”
Measures include drinking a lot of cool liquids, especially water, reschedule or plan outdoor activities when it’s cooler outside, wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, spend some time in a cool place, take cool showers or baths, and prepare meals that don’t need to be cooked in the oven.
Public health also says you should watch for any symptoms to heat illness like headaches, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing and heartbeat, extreme thirst and peeing with unusually dark yellow urine.
“If you have any of these systems following exposure to high temperatures, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.”
Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, confusion, being unconscious or stopping sweating.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
They add if you are caring for someone and they have symptoms of a heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.
