Extreme heat

• Consult your health care provider for advice and follow their recommendations.
  • Ask whether your medications impact your ability to cope with heat and follow your health care provider’s recommendations.
  • Build emotional preparedness with coping and wellness actions to help you think clearer, make informed decisions and recognize when to ask for help. Visit 211 Alberta for more information.
• Get and stay informed
  • Download apps like WeatherCan, Alberta Emergency Alert and Alberta Wildfire for alert notifications.
  • Sign up for communications from the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) and from your utility providers, if offered, to receive service impact notifications.
• Start a conversation with those around you. When heat is in the forecast, ask questions like:
  • How do you keep your home cool? Is there a spot in your home that is cooler than others?
  • Do you use indoor cooling or fans and are they working properly?
  • If you can’t stay home, where do you get relief from the heat?
• Make community connections
  • Find a heat buddy (an individual who checks in on you frequently during a heat event) who can assist with cooling in your home, get you to a cooler location, recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses and know when to call for help.
  • Heat buddies are especially important for those at high risk.
• Financially prepare
  • Ask your insurance provider about heat-related property damage, what your policy covers/doesn’t cover and what kind of help they offer during and after an emergency.
• Gather supplies for your household, including pets to keep cool and protected.
  • Personal protective equipment like respirators (for example, N95, KN95 or P100) or high-quality medical masks (for example, an ASTM-certified mask) in case of poor air quality. Learn how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke air and heat risks.
  • Backup power for medical, mobility, cooling and communication equipment and devices.
  • Cooling sheet set, mattress topper and/or pillows
  • Ice maker, icepacks, portable cooler, sun shelter/umbrella, sunblock (minimum SPF 30), fans (handheld, electric, misting), spray bottles, inflatable wading pool, etc.
  • Cooling gear like vests and mats for pets.

Some areas of the province are known to have more extreme heat days than others. If your community is on this list, consider it another reason to ensure you are prepared.

Historically, the top 10 hottest regions in Alberta are:

• Brooks, Strathmore, Vulcan
• Medicine Hat, Bow Island, Suffield
• Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Foremost
• Drumheller, Three Hills
• Hanna, Coronation, Oyen
• Lethbridge, Taber, Milk River
• Okotoks, High River, Claresholm
• City of Calgary
• Lloydminster, Wainwright, Vermilion, Provost
• Bonnyville, St. Paul, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche

See where your community ranks

• Install curtains, window coverings, reflective film or heat control coverings for windows.
• Inspect (and replace if needed) weather-stripping on doors, windows and window air conditioners to stop hot air from coming into your home.
• Upgrade to insulated double or triple pane windows.
• Insulate your home between walls, floors, ceilings and attics/crawl spaces. Older and thinner insulation is nearly ineffective for keeping heat outside and cooler air in.
• Install indoor cooling (for example, ceiling fan, air conditioner, heat pump). 

• Create shade by adding canopies, shutters, awnings and landscaping. Check FireSmart for tips on fire-resistant landscaping to reduce your home’s risk to fire.
• Coat and seal your roof against UV rays and install vapour barriers. If in the market for a new roof, reduce heat absorption by using a light colour or if available, reflective materials (for example, cool roofs).
• Install back-up power (for example, generator).

Indoor temperatures peak in the evening, so keeping your home as cool as possible during the day is crucial. Staying cool at night helps you sleep so you can cope with extreme heat better.

• Stay hydrated by drinking water and non-caffeinated/non-alcoholic fluids, even when you don’t feel thirsty.
• Eat fruits and vegetables as they have high-water content. If your appetite is low, you may need to drink more water.
• Check in with loved ones, your heat buddy and community members throughout the day; especially if they are more vulnerable to the heat.
• Use a spray bottle for misting. Apply ice packs, or cool down with wet towels or damp clothing. Immersing your forearms in cool water can help cool your core temperature.
• Close all windows and doors and use window coverings during the day to block the sun.
• Close outside window coverings (cardboard works too).
• Use exhaust fans to cool spaces by moving cool air in and warm air/humidity out (e.g., bathroom fans and cooking vents).
• If possible, reduce oven and stovetop use.
• If you have indoor cooling, set it between 22°C and 26°C to stay comfortable while reducing energy costs.
• Before bed, create a cross breeze by opening windows and placing fans in front of them. Take a cool shower and apply a cold towel to your neck.
• If it is too hot to sleep indoors, find a safe place to sleep outdoors on your own property.
• Find out through your community if supports and services like water stations and cooling centers are available.

When temperatures are high, it is important to plan activities during the coolest part of the day. Check your local forecast daily to help you plan. If there is an alert or advisory in your area, follow the instructions.

• Keep a water bottle in your bag and drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Minimize physical activity.
• Take breaks in cool areas often.
• Wear sunblock and seek shaded areas or use an umbrella.
• Wear materials that are loosely woven, lightweight, with a relaxed fit for air flow. Try sportwear, quick dry materials that wick away sweat and may offer UV protection, and hats that are wide brimmed or beaked.

• Extreme heat and air quality events like wildfire smoke can happen at the same time. Monitor your local news, weather and air quality alerts for advice on actions you can take to protect yourself.
• When an extreme heat event occurs with wildfire smoke, prioritize keeping cool, because overheating can be more dangerous to your health

Resources

• Wildfire smoke and your health
• Health Canada wildfire and smoke 101 fact sheets:
  • Wildfire smoke and your health
  • Using a portable air cleaner to filter wildfire smoke
  • Preparing for wildfire smoke events
  • Wildfire smoke with extreme heat

• Do not transport pets unless necessary. Never leave people or pets in a vehicle. If you see an unattended person or pet in distress during extreme temperatures, call 911.
• Monitor your pets for signs of distress, like excessive panting, drooling or vomiting. If you suspect heat stroke, take your pet to a veterinarian immediately.
• Keep the coats of furred pets short and brushed to promote air circulation. Do not shave them as their fur protects them from sunburn.
• Keep pet crates or cages clean and throw away untouched food to avoid bacteria growth and potential illness.
• Mist pets with a spray bottle filled with cool water.
• Certain types of pets might benefit from frozen treats or ice cubes in their water bowl.
• If your pets are left at home alone, leave them in a cool place with space to move and with access to water. Ask your heat buddy to check on them.
• Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day (10 am to 4:30 pm) by walking them in the early morning or in the evening. Avoid high endurance activities.
• Play in shaded areas and keep them off hot surfaces like pavement. Ensure they have cool rest areas available (under decks, trees or bushes), or create your own shaded area with tarps tied to trees.
• Beware that outdoor pet shelters (coops, dog houses, etc.) can heat up quickly and become dangerous for pets in hot temperatures. 

Extended periods of hot, dry weather increase water and power use, which could result in a water shortage or power outage. If this occurs, it affects each of us differently and can threaten our health and well-being.

Outages happen for a variety of reasons and vary in duration. Always follow the directions from your utility provider. Learn more on how to prepare:

• Power outages
• Water shortages

• rapid breathing and heartbeat
• headache
• dizziness or fainting
• nausea or vomiting
• extreme thirst
• heavy sweating
• muscle cramps
• skin rash
• dark urine and decreased urination

Take these steps if someone shows signs of heat exhaustion

1. Move to a cool place out of the sun.
2. Lay the person down and apply cool wet cloths.
3. Give small sips of water.

Consult with a medical expert or contact Health Link at 811.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency – call 911 immediately if you see these signs:

• dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness
• confusion and lack of coordination
• strong, rapid pulse
• extremely high body temperature (above 39.4°C)
• nausea
• lack of sweat, very hot, red skin

After calling 911, take these steps if someone shows signs of heatstroke

1. Move to a cool place out of the sun.
2. Remove outer clothing and shoes.
3. Wrap in a wet towel or cloth.
4. Do not give fluids.

• Inspect for heat-related property damage and replace/repair as needed.
• Check if mechanical equipment is working properly (for example, exhaust fan(s), heat pump, air-conditioner, generator) and if it isn’t, book a service appointment with a professional.
• Remove home heat mitigation measures as appropriate to promote temperature regulation.
• Restock supplies, including water, food and medications.
• If possible, set aside money monthly to invest in home improvements that will help make your home cooler.
• Ask your health care provider to check if you need to adjust your health care regime while exposed to extreme heat.
• Connect with your heat buddy to discuss your experience, what went well, and what preparedness actions could be taken to help each other better the next time.
• Consider taking what your household has learned to create or update your emergency plan.

Check on neighbours, especially seniors and those who live alone

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If you're hot, they're hot

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Know the risks. Be prepared.

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Know the signs of heat stroke

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Protect yourself. Find out how.

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Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed.

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Working in the heat? Protect yourself.

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Suggested social media posts  

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• If you're hot, they're hot
• Know the signs of heat stroke (Version 1)
• Know the signs of heat stroke (Version 2)
• Know the risks. Be prepared.
• Protect yourself. Find out how.
• Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed. (Version 1)
• Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed. (Version 2)
• Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed. (Version 3)
• Working in the heat? Protect yourself.

Extreme heat warning

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If you're hot, they're hot

• If you're hot, they're hot – 8.5 x 11  
• If you're hot, they're hot – 11 x 17  

Know the risks. Be prepared.

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Know the signs of heat stroke

• Know the signs of heat stroke (Version 1) – 8.5 x 11  
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• Know the signs of heat stroke (Version 2) – 8.5 x 11
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Older adults may be more at risk during extreme heat events

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Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed.

• Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed. (Version 1) – 8.5 x 11
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• Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed. (Version 2) – 8.5 x 11
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• Extreme heat planning and response: a toolkit for individuals, facilities and organizations, and communities.
• Beating the heat in Alberta: creating your extreme heat action plan

• Extreme heat information sheet: Adult care facilities
• Extreme heat information sheet: Schools
• Extreme heat information sheet: Child care facilities
• Extreme heat preparedness: Before the heat
• Extreme heat information sheet: General public
• Extreme heat information sheet: Seniors

• Strategies to Manage Heat: A Jurisdictional Scan (Alberta Health)
• Extreme Heat Adaptation Strategy Rapid Review (Institute of Health Economics)

Be prepared for extreme heat

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