Extreme Heat and Cold

Extreme Heat

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A heat wave is an extended period of extreme heat, and is often accompanied by high humidity. These conditions can be dangerous and even life- threatening for people who don't take the proper precautions.

Make sure your home is well insulated, including weather stripping around doors and windows.
Plan on being inside a cool building during the hottest time of the day.
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, or awnings.
Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
During a heat wave, slow down and avoid strenuous activity. Stay inside as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, consider going to a public building or to the lowest floor and staying out of the sun. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine as they dehydrate the body. Eat small meals and eat more often.
If someone is experiencing heat cramps, get them to a cooler place and have them rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids at a rate of a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal. If you see signs of heat exhaustion, get the person out of the heat and to a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give them water.
Watch for signs of heat stroke, including hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—as high as 40ºC / 105º F. If you see signs of heat stroke, call 9-1-1 and get help fast. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by immersing the victim in a cool bath or wrapping wet sheets around the body and fanning them. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the person refuses water, is vomiting, or level of consciousness changes, do not give them anything else to eat or drink.

Extreme Cold

Preparations you can make before extreme cold:

Stay informed of winter weather.
Keep a sufficient supply of heating fuel. Consider storing a back-up fuel, such as a good supply of dry wood for your fireplace or wood stove.
Winterize your home. Insulate walls and attics, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and install storm windows or cover windows with plastic.
Insulate pipes with insulation or newspaper and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
Learn how to shut off water valves in case of pipe bursts.
Winterize your car. Keep a shovel, a windshield scraper, and a small broom in your vehicle.
Add rock salt, sand, and shovels to your emergency supplies kit, as well as extra socks, hats, mittens, and blankets.

Preparations you can make during extreme cold:

Conserve fuel.
Stay safe and warm indoors.
If you are outside - bundle up, keep dry, and avoid overexertion. Dress for the weather, wear layers, mittens, and a hat.
Watch for signs of frostbite, including loss of feeling and white or pale extremities. If you detect any symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Watch for signs of hypothermia, including uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Get the victim to a warm location; remove any wet clothing; put the person in dry clothing and wrap their entire body in a blanket; warm the centre of the body first; give warm, non-alcoholic or non-caffeinated beverages; and seek medical attention.
Drive only if absolutely necessary. If you become trapped, call 9-1-1, explain your situation, and tell them to try to track your location by the phone signal or What3Words. If you must drive, travel during daylight hours, try not to travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule; and stay on main roads.
If a blizzard traps you in your car, pull off the highway and stay in your vehicle. Tie a brightly coloured cloth to the antenna and turn on the inside light at night for rescuers to see. Run the engine and heater about ten minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open a downwind window slightly and periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. In extreme cold, use any available means to insulate and maintain body heat. Make sure at least one person is awake at all times to watch for rescuers.

Preparations you can make after extreme cold:

Check on neighbours or anyone who may need assistance.
Dress warmly and always wear a hat. Stretch before shovelling heavy snow. Take frequent breaks. Use caution when walking in snowy walkways.
Supervise children at all times.

Extreme Heat and Cold

Your Partner for Government Services

Extreme Heat

Educational Materials

Extreme Heat

Extreme Cold

Educational Materials

Extreme Heat

Educational Materials

Educational Materials

Educational Materials

Extreme Heat

Extreme Cold

Information by Language

Extreme Heat and Cold

Your Partner for Government Services

Extreme Heat

Educational Materials

Extreme Heat

Extreme Cold

Educational Materials

Extreme Heat

Educational Materials

Educational Materials

Educational Materials

Extreme Heat

Extreme Cold

Information by Language

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