Heat Warning Issued for Region

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for multiple areas in the Interior Health region.

 With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat-related illness increases.

The BC Centre for Disease Control provides a broad range of heat-related guidance on its website, including information on the different types of heat alerts, how to prepare for hot temperatures, symptoms of heat-related illnesses, those most at risk during hot weather and ways to stay cool.

Interior Health says there are precautions you can take, to keep you cool during the heat warning

• If you have air conditioning at home, make sure it is in good working order.
• If you do not have air conditioning at home:
• Find somewhere you can cool off on hot days. Consider places in your community to spend time indoors such as libraries and community centres.
• Close windows, curtains and blinds during the heat of the day to block the sun and prevent hotter outdoor air from coming inside. Open doors and windows when it is cooler outside to move that cooler air indoors.
• Ensure that you have a working fan, but do not rely on fans as your primary means of cooling. Fans can be used to draw cooler late-evening, overnight and early-morning air indoors.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says vulnerable people, such as the elderly, people who live alone, those with mental or chronic illnesses, young people and pregnant people are at high risk during heat waves.

Temperatures in the Nicola Valley are expected to reach 32 C Saturday, 37 C on Sunday and 40 degrees on Monday.

Stay hydrated, remember sunscreen with a high SPF, and limit your time spent outdoors. Signs of heat illness are disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting or very dark urine or no urine.

Should you have concerns about any of these conditions please call 8-1-1.