How to Stay Safe During a Heat Wave

Wednesday, 25 August 2021 at 05:23

The heat warning continues in Oxford County and Southwestern Public Health has a few tips to help you get through it.

OXFORD COUNTY - The heat wave continues in Oxford County and surrounding regions.

Southwestern Public Health is reminding everyone to take it easy today. If you do have to work outside, take plenty of breaks and stay hydrated.

Program Manager for the Environmental Health Team at Southwestern Public Health Amy Pavletic says some people are more susceptible to hot weather.

"Older adults, infant's and young children, people who have to work outdoors, also homeless people who do not have a shelter and may not have access to good food and drinking water."

Pavletic says there are signs you should watch for, if your body is having an adverse reaction to the heat.

"Dehydration, the feeling of being thirsty is something you should watch for and make sure you don't get to that point and you have access to water. You can feel so hot that you get a feeling of cold and clamminess, your body reacts by trying to cool itself down if you stop sweating and then there is that internal temperature that can rise."

Other tips include:

- During extreme temperature conditions, stay indoors in an air-conditioned building if possible.
- Limit time in the sun when the UV Index is most intense, between 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Seek shade when outdoors, especially during mid-day.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and decrease intake of caffeinated/alcoholic beverages.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Apply Sunscreen with SPF 30 (or higher), 20-30 minutes before going outside to ensure absorption and reapply every 2-3 hours.
- Check regularly on children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and individuals with chronic illnesses.
- Never leave young children, the elderly or pets in a closed parked vehicle for any period.

The three main cooling centres in Oxford County include the Fusion Youth Centre in Ingersoll, The Tillsonburg Mall on Broadway Street and the Woodstock Reeves Community Complex on Finkle Street. Southwestern Public Health does advise calling ahead before you go and COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place.

You can find more information online here.