During the summer months, temperatures in British Columbia can exceed 30°C (86°F), sometimes reaching the mid to high 30’s in some parts of the province. Too much heat can be harmful to your health and cause heat-related illnesses.
Learn more about heat-related illnesses and get tips on how to stay cool when it is hot outside.
Too much heat can be harmful to your health. Heat-related illness is the result of your body gaining heat faster than it can cool itself down. Heat-related illnesses can almost always be prevented.
If you think you have a heat-related illness, use our Heat-related illnesses: Check your symptoms tool to help make an informed decision on when to seek healthcare. For additional information, visit:
When it is hot outside, it can be easy to become dehydrated or suffer from a heat-related illness. Learn how you can beat the heat, to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy:
To learn more about staying safe and healthy this summer, visit Your health this summer. BC Hydro is accepting applications for free portable air conditioners for income qualified households and individuals.
Extreme heat can put your health at risk, causing illness such as heat stroke or even death. It is important to take steps to protect yourself, your family, and other potentially vulnerable people in your life.
Heat events in B.C. are classified into two categories, a heat warning or an extreme heat emergency.
Environment and Climate Change Canada distributes alerts for heat events that are a moderate or high risk to the health of the public.
An extreme heat emergency is when daytime and overnight temperatures get hotter every day and are well above seasonal norms. When an extreme heat warning is issued, it is time to put your emergency plan into action. Make sure you have access to cooler spaces and take steps to ensure you limit physical activity in the heat. Check on older or vulnerable people that you know to make sure they are adequately prepared for the potentially dangerous temperatures.
Emergency Info BC is active during partial and full-scale provincial emergencies and will share verified event information.
For more information on extreme heat, visit:
When severe weather threatens, Environment Canada issues alerts that notify those in the affected communities. Learn more at:
The Province of B.C. will issue broadcast intrusive alerts through the Alert Ready System when an extreme heat emergency is declared. Learn more at Government of British Columbia: Emergency alerts in B.C.
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.
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 Canada Safety Council: Hot car warning.
When you work outdoors or indoors in environments with high temperatures such as bakeries, smelters, or restaurant kitchens, you are at risk 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.
When it’s too hot outside, many public places and municipal buildings can offer you a place to cool down. Local community centres, malls, pools and libraries usually have air-conditioned areas open to the public. Most communities in British Columbia have waterparks, wading pools and beaches where you can cool down. Local government websites often list community centres, fountains, libraries, swimming pools, water parks and wading pools.
If your local community is not listed, please call your local municipality or check their website to see where air-conditioned cooling centres are located. You can also contact your local library to see if they are open.
