Heat-related illness is the result of your body gaining heat faster than it can cool you down. You may be affected by heat even before you feel seriously unwell.
Plan ahead before hot weather. Know where you can go to cool down, check on people who may need support and learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
When temperatures rise, there are several actions that you can take to make sure that you and your family stay cool.
Some people are more affected by heat. Check in on people who need support, including older adults, people with disabilities, people who are pregnant and infants and young children, especially during a heat warning.
For more information, visit:
Indoor spaces without effective cooling can become dangerously hot. Use a thermometer to monitor indoor temperatures:
If indoor temperatures remain high or continue to increase, move to a cooler place if you can. Top floors of buildings and rooms with west or south-facing windows can become especially hot. Indoor spaces may stay hot into the evening and overnight.
To learn more about staying safe and healthy this summer, visit Your health this summer. For related information on how you can beat the heat, visit:
During heat warnings, air quality may also be poor, especially if there is wildfire smoke. Heat and air pollution affect the body in different ways, and some people are at risk from both.
Cooler, cleaner indoor air is the best protection. Spend time in a cool indoor space with cleaner air when possible. For most people, heat is the more immediate risk, so prioritize staying cool.
Before being physically active outdoors, check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in your area, if available. When active outdoors you are more sensitive to air pollution because you breathe deeply allowing more air to enter your lungs. To learn about the AQHI and when to modify outdoor physical activities for generally healthy and at risk populations, visit Understanding AQHI messages.
Learn more about wildfires and your health.
Some drugs and medications make it difficult for your body to adapt to hot temperatures. Never modify how you take your medication unless advised to by your healthcare provider. Learn more about how heat affects your body when taking medications.
When you work outdoors or indoors in environments with high temperatures such as bakeries, smelters or restaurant kitchens, you are overnight for heat stress and other health concerns. Learn more about hot environments, how they can affect you and ways to prevent heat stress at work.
Never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle, even for a few minutes. Leaving the car windows slightly open or "cracked" will not keep the inside of the vehicle at a safe temperature.
If you come across a child or animal in distress left in a hot vehicle, call 9-1-1. For more information, visit Hot car warning (Canada Safety Council).
Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency. While waiting for help, start cooling the person immediately. Do not wait for emergency medical services to arrive before starting cooling.
Signs of heat stroke can include confusion, disorientation, fainting or loss of consciousness, very hot skin or a high body temperature.
Call 9-1-1 as soon as you suspect or see signs of heat stroke in an individual.
To cool the person right away:
If you have a health question or concern and it is not a medical emergency, call 8-1-1.
You can also use the Heat-related illnesses: Check your symptoms tool to help make an informed decision on when to seek healthcare.
Learn more about heat stroke:
B.C. uses a heat alert and response system (HARS) to help people and communities prepare for heat and protect themselves during a heat wave. The objective of a HARS is to increase community resilience to extreme heat and reduce heat-health risks. Heat warnings are issued as:
The risk increases from yellow to red. The warning level is based on how hot it is expected to be, how long the heat is expected to last, and the expected health risks related to heat level.
The Province of B.C. will issue emergency alerts through the Alert Ready System when an extreme heat emergency is declared. Learn more at Emergency Alerts in B.C. (Government of B.C.)
Check if there's an active heat warning in your area.
Indicates temperatures that are unusually hot for at least two days. People more likely to be affected by heat may be at risk, especially if they do not have access to a cool indoor space.
Take these steps:
Indicates very hot daytime and overnight temperatures are expected for several days. Health risk is higher. Take action now to stay cool and protect others.
Take these steps:
Dangerous heat is expected. This is rare and serious. Daytime and overnight temperatures may continue to rise over several days and homes without effective cooling can become dangerously hot.
Take these steps:
When it’s hot outside, there are public places that you can visit to cool down. Local community centres, malls, pools and libraries usually have air-conditioned areas open to the public. Many communities have waterparks, wading pools and beaches that you can visit. Local government websites often list community centres, fountains, libraries, swimming pools, water parks and wading pools.
You can also contact your First Nation or local government to find where cooling centres will be stood up in your area.
Check the map to find cooling centres in your area.
If your local community is not listed, please call your local your local municipality or check their website to find where cooling spaces are located. You can also contact your local library to know if they are open.
Call toll-free in B.C., 8-1-1, or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing to get personalized assistance. Speak to a navigator who can guide you to reliable health information or connect you with a health professional. Translation services are available in over 130 languages.
