Extreme Heat and Humidity
Durham Region: Heat Warning and Information System (HWIS)
To help Durham Region residents take protective action during extreme heat events, Durham Region Health Department has implemented the Durham Region Heat Warning and Information System (HWIS). The Durham Region HWIS can reduce heat-related illnesses during extreme heat events by alerting the public about extreme heat events, directing community response and outreach to vulnerable and priority populations, and providing individuals with information on how to prevent heat-related illnesses. Community partners: Subscribe to early notification of extreme heat events. Infection control guidance for community partners offering warming/cooling centres. |
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No heat warning |
There is no Heat Warning issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for the Durham Region area. Visit Environment and Climate Change Canada website for more weather information.
Heat and health
Extreme heat and humidity puts everyone at risk of heat-related illnesses. It is important to protect yourself and your family during extreme heat events.
- Your age and health may make you more susceptible to heat related illness.
- You can become ill while being active during extreme heat. Try to reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.
- Remember to frequently call, text or video call and check in with neighbours, friends and older family members, especially those who are chronically ill, to ensure that they are cool and hydrated.
Never leave infants and young children inside a parked vehicle. This is especially important as when the outside air temperature is 23ºC/73ºF, the temperature inside a vehicle can be extremely dangerous and reach more than 50ºC/122ºF. Anyone seeing a child left unattended in a hot vehicle at anytime should call 911 immediately.
Heat illness |
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Symptoms of heat illness:
Common heat illnesses:
Heat strokeHeat stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone else is having a heat stroke, call 911. Heat stroke symptoms:
While waiting for medical help, you should:
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How to cool down and when to seek emergency help | ||||
If you are feeling any of these symptoms in hot weather, you should:
If the above cooling tips do not make you feel better, seek emergency help or call 911. |
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Who is at risk? | ||||
You are at greater risk if you:*
*Having multiple risk factors means potentially higher health risks and the need for close monitoring during heat events. |
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Parked cars | ||||
Anyone seeing a child left unattended in a hot vehicle at anytime should call 911 immediately. |
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Protect yourself | ||||
You can protect yourself and try to prevent heat and humidity related illnesses by:Reducing your body temperature during a heat event
Additional precautions
If you must work outside or do physical activity in extreme heat, take extra precautions:
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Keep your home cool | ||||
There are ways to keep your home cool even without an air conditioner:
Use your air conditioner. If you are using a window air conditioner, cool the one room you will use for a heat break. If your home is extremely hot:
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What to do if you do not have air conditioning | ||||
If you do not have air conditioning, these important steps can help you to keep safe and stay cool during extreme heat:
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Local municipal programs and places to help you stay cool |
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Extreme heat resources |
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Brochures
Infographics
Useful websites
Information for property owners and managers of multi-unit buildings
Information for health professionals
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If your organization provides services for higher risk individuals, and you would like to receive notifications of heat warnings and special air quality statements, please send an email to heatalert@durham.ca with "subscribe" in the subject line. For general public if you would like to receive notifications of heat warnings, click below on receive email updates to subscribe.
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Heat warning symbols |
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These images tell you what the current heat warning status is for Durham Region. Visit Environment and Climate Change Canada's website for more weather information. |
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