Extreme heat in early summer can be dangerous, doctor warns

Summer heat is here — and some of us may not be ready for it.

While today’s forecast high of 27 C isn’t hot enough for a heat warning, this time of year is when experts are concerned about heat events.

“We’re actually at one of the more dangerous periods of time, because if we were to have an extreme heat event, now, our bodies have not had a chance to acclimatize or properly prepare yet,” said Dr. Cheryl Young, medical health officer for the Tri-Cities.

What’s the risk?

Among those most at risk during hot weather are people who are older, live alone, are homeless, have a mental illness, have a substance use disorder, are disabled, pregnant, or can’t recognize signs of heat exhaustion or stroke.

“Especially so if they don’t have air conditioning,” Dr. Young said – of which much of the Lower Mainland’s housing is without.

Statistics Canada recently released a report which found there was an increased risk of death during extreme heat event days — mostly those who were 65 years and older, in cities with large numbers of renters and fewer extreme heat events.

It’s important to recognize signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, Young said.

Heat exhaustion is “when our bodies are telling us we’re overheating, but it’s not yet an emergency,” she said. Signs include skin rashes, headaches, sweating, dizziness, cramps, and extreme thirst. Dr. Young recommends finding a cool space, drinking water, and cooling down by applying water on your skin.

Signs of a heat stroke are confusion, reduced coordination and very hot and red skin. If you are suffering from heat stroke, Young recommended calling 911. While waiting for first responders, one can submerge the affected person in cool water or cover them in damp towels.

Prevention is critical: drinking lots of water, staying in cool places, staying out of the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, avoiding alcohol, keeping children and pets out of hot vehicles, and checking in on neighbours or other at higher risk during the heat.

Community groups call for more resources

Ken Kuhn, the Executive Director for the Tri-Cities Seniors’ Action Society, told The Dispatch in an email that “community buildings need to be open 24 hours a day to allow vulnerable people to get relief from the heat [and] smoke.” He added that vulnerable populations struggle with the heat during the summer months.

Aaron Staeheli, an outreach worker at Hope for Freedom, said homeless people are often more at risk due to substance use.

“A lot of people we come in contact with are opioid users and with that type of drug, it keeps their senses a little bit numb,” he said. “If they’re straight in the heat, and then they pass out in that sun, it can become a little bit dangerous.”

Staeheli said he’d like to see more working water fountains throughout the Tri-Cities.

Here’s what each of the Tri-Cities does to prepare for hot weather.

Port Coquitlam

After the province issues a heat warning, Port Coquitlam activates its cooling centers, according to Trisha Maciejko, Port Coquitlam’s Emergency Preparedness Manager.

The cooling centres are at the Port Coquitlam recreation facilities, the Port Coquitlam Community Centre and Hyde Creek Recreation Centre.

Maciejko said that they also promote “personal resilience,” so that people prepare themselves and their homes for the heat. They also encourage neighbours, family and friends to check in on each other.

“At this time, we’re not offering overnight, because there has not been an identified need based on past activation,” she told The Dispatch.

She added that they would extend hours if there was a need.

“People are welcome to come into the community centers if they need reprieve even if we don’t have a cooling centre activated,” she said.

Port Moody

Port Moody lists a number of cooling centres and amenities, including the Civic Centre Galleria and Port Moody Public Library.

They also have a number of misting stations, and are currently in the process of building five new misting poles throughout the city, according to Kirk Heaven, Port Moody’s Deputy Fire Chief. He said he expects them to be completed by the middle of next month.

“These poles will be available 24/7. So there’s no time they’re not going to be on. If at two in the morning, if they’re still warm, the poles are there if they wanted to cool off,” he said.

A concern in the city is the older buildings with single pane glass that trap heat.

“We’ve identified those, but we can only do so much,” he said. “We don’t know who’s in the building.”

He said next week they are building cooling kits with seniors.

For the upcoming warmer weather, he advised people to stay hydrated, stay in shaded areas, wear sunscreen and hats.

“Being the first big weekend of heat, people have to be careful of that, because they’re not used to it. We’ve gone through basically a cold front, now we’re on to a warm front.”

“We’ll have a look at that and see if there’s actually a demand for that service.”

Coquitlam

All of Coquitlam’s public indoor spaces are open to anyone to cool down during regular business hours. It also has 10 free spray parks. They also recommend visiting local parks with shaded areas.

Heat warning

The province issues a heat warning for the Tri-Cities when there’s a forecast of 33 C daytime high for two or more days in a row and a nighttime low of 17 C or higher.