Environment Canada has issued a Heat Warning for the City of Brandon. The weather office says humidex values reaching 40 are expected.
A hot and humid air mass will move into southern Manitoba on Thursday with the most humid weather of the summer so far expected by Friday. Relief is expected by Saturday as a cold front tracks through the province on Friday night.
Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone’s health.
Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others.
Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness.
While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids.
Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park.
Follow the advice of your region’s public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Extreme heat affects everyone. Heat illnesses are preventable.
To reduce the health effects of heat:
– Take a cool shower or bath or take a break in a cool location, such as an air-conditioned building or a tree-shaded area.
– Stay out of direct sunlight and wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and a wide-brimmed hat or shade yourself with an umbrella.
– Drink plenty of water, before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place. If you must go out, take water with you.
– Keep your house cool. Block the sun out by closing curtains, blinds, and awnings during the day
– Never leave people or pets in a parked vehicle.
– Check on family, friends and neighbours. Check regularly on people living alone, especially older individuals or people with health conditions. Make sure they are cool and drinking water.
– Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, and the worsening of some health conditions.
– Watch for signs of heat stroke (which may begin with headache, hot skin, dizziness or confusion) and take action immediately.
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
For more information: How to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat Health risks and who is at risk of extreme heat events
For more information on heat and your health: – Visit Manitoba Health at: manitoba.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/heat.html.
Call Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
For more information specific to workplaces and heat strain, visit safemanitoba.com/News/Pages/Heat-Strain-at-Work-with-Dr.-Denise.aspx.
