Signs of heat illness
Know how heat affects you and take precautions to reduce your risk.
Poster: Watch for signs of heat illness
Overview
Extreme heat can cause serious negative health impacts ranging from dehydration and heat exhaustion to heat stroke and possibly death.
During heat waves, buildings with no indoor cooling systems will continue to get hotter with each passing day, increasing these risks. Heat waves can also lead to water and power outages, and increase our risk of other hazards such as wildfire.
See the Be prepared for extreme heat fact sheet for more information (this fact sheet is available in several languages at the bottom of this page).
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-existing medical and mental health conditions
- outdoor workers
- people with reduced mobility
- people who 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 can help prevent a heat wave from turning into a heat emergency. Plan ahead to make sure you have the supplies and support you need to stay safe. Being prepared for extreme heat events can help to keep your home cool. It is important to know your options when experiencing an event.
Although individual circumstances may vary, everyone must remember to stay:
- cool
- hydrated
- informed
During an extreme heat event
After the heat
Even though a heat warning may have ended, heat illness may not peak until a few days after the end of extreme heat events. Continue to monitor yourself and others for signs of heat illness.
Translated resources
Read, print or download the “Be prepared for extreme heat” infographic to share online and within your community.
Available in українською (Ukrainian), عربي (Arabic), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi), Deutsch (High German), Plautdietsch (Low German), Español (Spanish), Français (French) and Tagalog (Tagalog).
Reports
- Strategies to Manage Heat: A Jurisdictional Scan (Alberta Health)
- Extreme Heat Adaptation Strategy Rapid Review (Institute of Health Economics)
Contact
Connect with the Extreme Heat Program:
Email: [email protected]
Related
- Tips for heat checks during extreme heat events
- Emergency preparedness
- Working in extreme temperatures
- Health and safety advisories
- Weather Alerts for Canada
- Alberta Health Services’ Heat Warning Information
- Alberta Environmental Public Health Information Network – Heat Warning
- Alberta Electric System Operator Grid Alerts (#ABElectricity)