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Overview
Extreme heat can cause serious negative health impacts ranging from dehydration and heat exhaustion to heat stroke and possibly death.
Extreme heat affects everyone, but some people are at a higher risk of health impacts, including:
- older adults
- infants and young children
- women who are pregnant
- people with pre-exiting medical and mental health conditions
- outdoor workers
- people with reduced mobility
- people who are live alone or are socially isolated
- people who live in high density housing with no indoor cooling
- people experiencing homelessness, or are marginally housed
- some medications also increase risk of heat illness
Preparing for extreme heat
Being prepared for extreme heat events can help to keep your home cool. It’s important to know your options when experiencing an event. Although individual circumstances may vary, everyone must remember to stay:
- Cool
- Hydrated
- Informed
Staying cool, hydrated, and informed during extreme heat is much easier if you have a plan and all the supplies you need.
During an extreme heat event
During a heat wave, the indoor temperature of homes without indoor cooling will continue to get hotter with each passing day. Have a plan:
- identify areas in your home that stay the coolest, what you can do to keep them cool, and how you can set it up for sleeping
- prepare meals that don’t need to be heated as using appliances will increase the indoor temperatures
- if your home is too warm, consider leaving to stay with friends, family, your heat buddy, or look for public spaces with indoor cooling
Heat illness
Heat illness such as heat exhaustion, or more serious heatstroke, are preventable. Take action to stay cool, hydrated, and informed throughout an extreme heat event.
Stay informed
Use the WeatherCan App or Public Alert website for up-to-date information about the weather conditions and Special Air Quality Statements in your area.
Helping others
Check-in on neighbours, friends and older family members, especially those who are chronically ill, socially isolated, or have mobility limitations, to make sure that they are cool and hydrated. If you have air conditioning, consider offering them a place to stay.
Call 911 if they are unconscious or need medical help.
Resources
- Extreme heat preparedness: Before the heat
- Extreme heat infographic: Be prepared for extreme heat
- Extreme heat information sheet: General public
- Extreme heat information sheet: Seniors
- Extreme heat information sheet: Adult care facilities
- Extreme heat information sheet: Schools
- Extreme heat information sheet: Child care facilities
- Extreme temperature heat alerts: Stakeholder notifications
Reports
Related
Tips for heat checks during extreme heat events
Working in extreme temperatures
Emergency alerts and advisories
Alberta Health Services’ Heat Warning Information
Alberta Environmental Public Health Information Network – Heat Warning
Alberta Electric System Operator Grid Alerts (#ABElectricity)
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