The heat is on for Canada Day

 CENTRAL ONTARIO — Welcome to summer — for real.

Watch for a Canada Day flag on your corner drive early July 1 thanks to the annual Royal LePage volunteers.

No more mixed bag weather, the heat is on baby.

The first good long stretch of hot weather is here just in time for the end of school and start of vacations for many.

So, grab your beach towel, sun screen, water bottle and map.

It’s time to explore.

There’s fireworks in West Gravenhurst at Walker’s Point Marina Saturday night.

And in Bracebridge and Huntsville Canada Day, where there’s big parties in all three Muskoka towns.

At Gull Lake Rotary Park in Gravenhurst the 151 celebration includes all-day music with the Bifocals Band at 2 p.m., the Orillia Silver Band at 4 p.m. and a C&W band at 7 p.m.

The cake is at noon as part of kids happenings.

If you miss a piece there, the National Historic Site Bethune House has a cake-cutting at 11 a.m.; and the site is open and free for a basic tour of the welcome centre, with a $3.90 upgrade to go inside the actual house for a full tour.

In Bracebridge and Huntsville all the fun is downtown on Manitoba and Main/River Mill Park respectively.

But first, if you’re stuck at work or can’t hit the road, every town has emergency cooling centres you can get to if your AC is not working.

Don’t forget to keep your pets hydrated and cooled off this week.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is warning the public that the extreme heat expected this weekend can be dangerous.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s forecast indicates that Simcoe Muskoka is in for four to six days of temperatures that will feel like the mid-40s. Night time temperatures will not provide much relief.

When temperatures stay above 31° C for more than a day, or the humidity index exceeds 40° C, over exertion will increase the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration or heat stroke.

During the heat, you should be taking care to avoid overheating.

  • Be sure to drink plenty of fluids (non-caffeinated). Don’t wait until you feel thirsty – that’s a sign that your body is already becoming dehydrated.
  • Stay cool indoors and if possible, seek out an air-conditioned place.
  • If you must be outside, stay in the shade and make sure you wear and reapply sunscreen, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses and lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Electric fans provide comfort by increasing evaporation, however when the conditions are extreme, fans will not prevent heat-related illness.
  • Keep physical activity to a minimum.
  • Draw blinds or curtains to prevent radiant heat from entering homes.

Extreme heat over several days increases the health risks for vulnerable people. Keep an eye on infants and young children, the frail elderly and people with chronic lung conditions or taking certain prescription drugs, as they are more vulnerable to harm from overheating.

For more information about extreme heat, visit www.smdhu.org/heat or call Health Connection at 721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.