Heat Warning - Peterborough Public Health

Today Peterborough Public Health is issuing a Level 2 Extended Heat Warning. A heat event is expected to affect the local area starting today, through to Thursday night. Daytime temperatures will reach up to 33°C, with a humidex expected to reach 43°C, and high temperatures expected to continue into the night.

This extended heat event can increase the risk of severe health impacts and residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and those who they care about. Community agencies and service providers should consider enhancing services and communicating directly to those who may be most at risk.

This extended heat event is similar to the 2021 heat dome in British Columbia that caused many illnesses, resulting hundreds of heat-related deaths. Extended periods of extreme heat are a serious health risk. During the 2021 event in British Columbia, many people died in their own homes due to the heat. If you are able, check in on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours.

While extreme heat can put everyone at risk, health risks are greatest for the following individuals:

• people experiencing homelessness,
• older adults,
• children, especially infants and young children,
• pregnant people,
• people taking certain medications;
• people with certain health conditions (e.g., respiratory, cardiac, diabetes, mental illness, mobility limitations);
• people who live alone, and
• people who are active outdoors, including outdoor workers.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone you are with has a high body temperature, hot flushed or very pale skin, and is unconscious, confused or has stopped sweating, call 911 immediately.

Other Signs of Heat-Related Illness:

People suffer heat-related illnesses when their body temperature quickly rises, and they are unable to cool themselves. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. Heat exhaustion can very quickly lead to heat stroke. There can be other effects on the body like rash and swelling. Watch for symptoms of heat-related illnesses, which may include:

• heavy sweating;
• muscle cramps and/or headache;
• weakness, dizziness, or fainting;
• nausea or vomiting;
• paleness, tiredness;
• rapid breathing and heartbeat;
• extreme thirst; or
• decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, take measures to cool yourself immediately and if you are unable to cool down or symptoms worsen, seek medical attention.

Members of the public should access air-conditioned public spaces (e.g., shopping centres, public libraries, places of worship) or local cooling centres to get a break from the heat. There are cooling centres located in the City as well as the County of Peterborough. Residents can reach out to their municipalities to find out more information.

How to Protect Yourself During Hot Weather:

• Stay hydrated with water and drink before you feel thirsty; avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Avoid going out during the hottest time of the day and avoid direct sun.
• Keep your home cooler by using air conditioning or blocking out the sun with blinds and curtains. Avoid using heat-generating appliances, including the oven.
• Monitor the temperature of your home. If your home feels too hot, plan to spend some time in a cool, public space. Health risks may increase when indoor temperatures exceed 26°C.
• Wearing loose fitting, light-coloured clothing.
• Take a cool bath/shower or cooling down with cold, wet towels.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor physical activity.
• Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight.

Community Resources to Stay Cool:

Trinity Community Centre (360 Reid St.) will extend its hours of service to 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Run by One City Peterborough, the Trinity Community Centre provides services on behalf of the City of Peterborough, including extended hours for drop-in cooling centre services during extreme heat. For a full description of meals and other services that One City provides, please visit their website at www.onecityptbo.ca. 

Cooling off at a beach can also be helpful. Peterborough Public Health continues beach water testing throughout the City and County of Peterborough and at Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations. Results are regularly updated at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or by calling 705-743-1000, ext. 232 on weekdays. There are also numerous splash pads that are open and operating around the City and County of Peterborough. Splash pads in the City are open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily; find locations and other information at peterborough.ca/splash. 

Outdoor water bottle filling stations are available at the following City facilities:

• Quaker Foods City Square, 215 Charlotte St.
• Eastgate Park, 2150 Ashburnham Dr.
• Peterborough Marina, 92 George St. N.

Water bottles can also be refilled inside the following City facilities during hours of operation:

• Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St.
• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.
• Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.
• Kinsmen Civic Centre, 1 Kinsmen Way

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality. Peterborough Public Health encourages you to monitor the Air Quality Health Index, found on the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks’ website www.airqualityontario.com and plan outdoor activities accordingly.