This week is looking like a hot one in Dufferin County, with humidex temperatures reaching above thirty over the coming days. Now, throughout summer and especially during heat warnings, Dufferin County has tips for community members to beat the heat and stay safe over the coming months.

Stay hydrated and keep cool
Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty, and limit your heat exposure. Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles. Cool off at a local splash pad or pool.

Check out Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health’s Cooling, Warming and Clean Air Spaces Map, an interactive map that helps residents find publicly accessible locations and services that may be useful during extreme weather events and other climate-related conditions.

The map includes information about locations such as:

• Cooling spaces
• Public washrooms
• Drinking water access points
• Splash pads, pools and recreational water locations
• Libraries, community centres and municipal buildings
• Shelters and community support locations
• Clean air spaces during wildfire smoke or poor air quality events

The Town of Orangeville’s recreation centres will be open from 9 am to 9 pm for cooling centres daily when a heat warning is issued.

During heat warnings, there is access to water for refills for people and dogs as well as water bowls outside for dogs. For more information visit www.orangeville.ca/BeatTheHeat

If you don’t have air conditioning, keep your windows, doors and blinds shut during the day. If temperatures drop at night, crack the windows before going to bed.

Set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise and create a cool breeze by placing a bowl with ice in front of a large fan. Take a cool shower, or place frozen washcloths on your forehead, back of neck, and wrists to help lower your core temperature.

Keep pets indoors and avoid taking them for walks in the heat. If outdoors, limit time in the sun and provide shade. Keep in mind that if the pavement is too hot for bare feet, it is too hot for bare paws.

Watch for heat illness
Pay attention to how you and those around you feel and watch for heat illness symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting or rapid breathing or heartbeat. The risks of high temperature are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors. Check out the County’s tips for staying safe from heat-related illness here.

If you know someone who may be more vulnerable to heat-related illness, check-in regularly to ensure they are cool and hydrated. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 if you are caring for someone who has a high body temperature and is either confused, experiencing dizziness or fainting, or has stopped sweating.

For more tips on staying cool without air conditioning, read Dufferin’s Beat the Heat Guide here.

For more information on how to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat, visit Health Canada: Extreme Heat.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca