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With Europe ablaze from record-breaking temperatures, and most of the United States experiencing the same, it’s not “if”, but “when” for us, according to the BC Lung Foundation, which recently convened a panel of extreme high heat experts to warn of an upcoming summer blast for BC – and what we can do to mitigate it.
The webinar, comprised of 75 health-care participants and partners, reviewed what’s very likely to come, and how to prevent a repeat of last year’s unprecedented and fatal heat dome.
“Our June Air Quality Health Workshop revealed startling data about who was affected, and how, by the heat dome of 2021," stated Menn Biagtan, BC Lung Foundation VP, Health Initiatives. "Our panel of experts not only showed us what happened last year, but what we can do this year to mitigate extreme heat and its resulting health impacts.
“98 per cent of the deaths caused by 2021’s high heat occurred indoors in a residence – a place where people feel they have shelter and more control over their personal temperature. Sadly, that proved to be a wrong assumption. Today’s webinar provided lessons learned about indoor spaces, and in extreme heat, what they should do to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“It may surprise some people, who think they’re cooler once the sun goes down, but that’s not the case. Outdoor temperatures peak in the afternoon – but indoor temperatures peak in the evening. And heat-related illnesses can increase at an indoor temperature of just 26o C (78o F)”.
An FAQ on who’s at risk for heat illness, and what they can do about it, was explored in the webinar. Key findings:
Who’s at risk?
- Older adults, especially those above 60 years of age and older
- People with schizophrenia, dementia, depression, anxiety disorder
- People who live alone
- People with pre-existing health conditions
- People with limited mobility
- People who live in low-cost housing or marginalized housing
- People who are pregnant
- Infants and young children
Physical environment risk factors:
- People living in dwellings with no mechanical cooling system such as air conditioning or a heat pump
- Higher floors of building; South- or West-facing windows
- Large-sized windows
- No outside shades or window coverings
- No evening cross breeze
- Lack of neighbourhood trees or other green features (e.g. parks, playgrounds)
To be prepared for any heat events, here’s what you can do:
- Use an air conditioning unit – in a wildfire smoke event, set your air conditioning unit in “circulate” mode
- Know that fans aren’t really effective: they circulate air in the room, but only give the perception of cooling
- Don’t rely on blinds as a window covering; use cardboard, aluminum foil or dark fabric to block the sun
- Keep a thermometer at hand, to monitor your body temperature
- Wear hats or extra light clothing during hot days
- Wet towels: cool, wet towels applied to the skin lower body temperature
- Stay hydrated with water
Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion:
- Heavy sweating; dizziness; nausea; vomiting
- Rapid breathing and heartbeat
- Headache
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Muscle cramps
- Excessive thirst
- New skin rash
- Dark urine and/or decreased urination
- Body temperature of 38oC
What to do with people experiencing heat exhaustion: move the person to cooler spaces (libraries, public spaces recreation centres, community centres); take a cool shower; apply cold water to your skin
Signs and symptoms of heat stroke:
- Body temperature over 38oC (88oF)
- Fainting, drowsiness
- Confusion; lack of coordination
- Very hot and red skin
What to do with people experiencing heat stroke: This is a medical emergency: call 911. While waiting for the paramedics, if you have someone with you, move the patient to a cooler space, or apply cold water to large areas of the skin.
For more information about how to beat extreme heat, the BC Lung Foundation offers up all of these tips, and more, on its website. Go to bclung.ca/heatpreparedness for the best ways to stay cool in the (certain) hot days to come.
