Learn how you can stay cool, safe and have fun during the warm summer weather.
During the summer months, the temperatures in British Columbia can exceed 30°C (86°F) or higher. Too much heat can be harmful to your health and cause heat-related illnesses. People can be affected by heat even before they feel seriously unwell, especially if they do not have access to a cool indoor space. Those at higher risk of heat related illness include people who are pregnant, infants and young children, as well as those with chronic health conditions.
Older adults are also more likely to be affected by heat, especially if they live alone, have chronic health conditions, take medicines that affect how the body handles heat, or have limited mobility. During hot weather, make sure to check in on older family members, friends and neighbours, and help them make a plan to stay cool.
If there is a heat warning in your area, follow the advice for that warning level. To learn more about what to watch for during hot weather, how to stay cool and how to support those at risk, visit: Beat the heat
Take extra precautions to keep pregnant people and young children safe:
The risk of foodborne illness can increase during the summer. This is because hot and humid weather can create conditions for bacteria to grow and thrive. People can become sick by eating foods contaminated with bacteria or the poisons that bacteria produce. Food safety can be more challenging when cooking and eating outdoors Learn how to safely prepare and store your food:
Learn how to safely can and preserve foods at home:
You may come into contact with insects that bite or sting during the summer. Learn what you can do to prevent being bitten or stung:
There are many types of ticks. Ticks are small bugs that can bite people and pets and can sometimes spread diseases. A few are known to carry a bacterium that cause Lyme Disease. The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) works in cooperation with local health authorities to monitor for Lyme disease. Ticks found by B.C. residents can be identified for free by submitting a photo of the tick to www.etick.ca.
Learn more:
The summer months are a great time for outdoor physical activities such as camping, hiking and biking. Before being active outdoors, check the weather forecast and Air Quality Health Index.
For hot weather alerts, consider modifying outdoor activities by being active at cooler times of day (such as early morning or late evening), choosing cooler locations (such as tree-shaded areas), and reducing the length and intensity of activities. For Red hot weather alerts, postpone non-essential outdoor activities, especially strenuous activities, and consider being active in cooler indoor spaces.
Learn how you and your family can enjoy the outdoor physical activities while staying safe and healthy:
Taking a dip in a pool, lake, river, or the ocean is a fun and enjoyable way to beat the summer heat. Before you head to the water, remember to check the public health alerts in your area for local health authority pool, lake, river, or beach advisories. Learn how to keep yourself and your family safe in and around the water this summer:
Wildfires, or forest fires, can affect your health and safety. Exposure to air pollution can irritate your lungs, which causes inflammation and can alter your immune response. Learn more:
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.
