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Newfoundland and (NL) Health Services encourages residents of the province to take precautions to protect their health due to the prolonged period of hot and humid weather forecasted by Environment Canada this week. Please check Environment Canada alerts to see specific areas of NL experiencing heat warnings.

Health risks from heat waves

The risk of heat-related illness increases with higher temperatures. Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose a higher risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

While a heat wave can put everyone at risk of heat illness, some people have a higher risk of experiencing health effects from heat, such as:

• people who are pregnant.
• infants and young children.
• older adults.
• people who live alone.
• people experiencing homelessness and are under-housed.
• people living with mental illness.
• people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease,
• people who work, exercise or play sports outdoors, and
• people who work in hot environments

The best way to protect against the effects of heat waves:

Make plans:

If you live alone, and need extra help, ask someone to check in on you when temperatures rise.

Keep your house cool

• Close the blinds during the day to keep sunlight from heating the home.
• Open the windows only in the night and evening, if the outdoor temperature has fallen.

Keep yourself cool

• Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.
• Avoid strenuous activity.
• Take a cool shower.
• Apply a cool moist towel around your neck.
• Spend a couple of hours in a cool place.
• Wear loose-fitting light-coloured clothing.
• Stay in the shade when you are outside.
• Drink plenty of fluids – drink even when you don’t feel thirsty.
• Identify places in your community you can visit to get cool.
• If your workplace is in a hot environment, discuss and act on ways to decrease heat exposure with your employees, employer and coworkers.

Help others

• Make sure to check in on any relatives and neighbours. Older people are at a greater risk of heat illness, especially those that live alone.
• Never leave people or pets in parked cars.

Monitor your health

Though heat illness is preventable, remember to monitor for these signs of heat illness and take steps to cool down:

• Dizziness and fainting
• Extreme thirst
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Rapid breathing and heart rate
• Decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine

Please call HealthLine 811 for advice on health risks, symptoms and precautions associated with heat. Some medications increase the risk of heat-related illness; you can discuss your risk with your pharmacist or primary care provider. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department if you or someone you are caring for displays any signs of heat illness, such as unconsciousness, confusion or has stopped sweating.

For further information on how to stay safe in high heat, please visit: https://hi.easternhealth.ca/healthy-living/injury-prevention/general-injury-prevention/extreme-heat/.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. Weather information can be found on Environment Canada website. The Government of Canada’s Weather app can be downloaded here.

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