By: Laura Steiner
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Halton Region beginning July 5, 2021. A heat advisory is defined as two consecutive days when temperatures over 31 degrees during the day, and 20 degrees overnight or when a humidex over 40 is expected during the same period.
Some locations that have been previously used for cooling centres may be closed due to pandemic restrictions. They advise residents to check in with vulnerable family or friends by phone or videos. Vulnerable groups include the following:
- Older adults, babies, and young children
- People who exercise in the heat, are without housing, and or air conditioning
- Those with breathing difficulties, heart problems, kidney problems, or those who take heat-sensitive medications.
When checking on people in-person, please take precautions such as washing your hands regularly and wearing a mask. The Region advises residents to drink fluids, avoid outdoor activity, seek shade, take cool showers, and never leave people or pets in an unattended car.
If you experience rapid breathing, headache, confusion, and lack of coordination, weakness or fainting call 911.
The heat advisory is expected to last until Tuesday according to Environment Canada. A cold front is forecast to bring thunderstorms which, are expected to break the humidity.
