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Precautionary Heat Advisory for Sunday, August 9, 2009
With the anticipated increase in heat and humidity on Sunday, August 9, Dr. G. Allen Heimann, Medical Officer of Health, would like to remind area residents to take the necessary steps to prevent heat related illnesses. The combined exposure of high heat and high humidity can be very dangerous, with the most extreme cases being life threatening.
High risk groups include the elderly, infants and preschool children, people with chronic illnesses like heart conditions, those who are obese, people involved in strenuous outdoor activity, and people taking certain medications.
Area residents are urged to take steps to prevent heat related illnesses during periods of high temperatures and humidity by taking these precautions:
- Drink lots of water.
- Stay out of the direct sun.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors.
- Never leave children and pets alone in a car.
- Check on neighbours, relatives and friends who are frail, elderly, and live alone.
- Use air-conditioned places like shopping malls, community centres, and libraries.
- Seek medical attention if you have or observe signs of heat illness in someone else.
- In an emergency call 911.
For more details about preventing heat illness, please visit http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/glossary/heat-and-humidity.
For those seeking relief from the heat, the Windsor Public Library and City of Windsor Community Centres are air-conditioned and open free of charge during regular operating hours. For information on the location or operating hours for Community Centres - please visit http://www.citywindsor.ca/, for libraries - please visit http://www.windsorpubliclibrary.com, or call 311.
Please note, while the Ministry of the Environment has not issued a smog alert as yet, it is possible that Windsor-Essex may experience increased levels of smog this weekend. A Smog Advisory means that there is a strong likelihood that there will be poor air quality within the next 24 hours due to ground-level ozone and/or particulate matter.
During the smog episode, individuals may experience eye irritation. Heavy outdoor exercise may cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. People with heart or lung disease including asthma may experience a worsening of their condition.
For more details about air quality, please visit http://www.airqualityontario.com.
For more details about Smog and Health, please visit http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/air/smog/health.htm.