STAY HOME … CHILL OUT … KEEP HYDRATED
MUSKOKA — Hot enough for you?
Well, wait until tomorrow, the day after and …?
With many public parks still closed, the best advice according to the health unit is to stay home and chill out.
Temperatures will soar to more than 30 this week.
The heat warning issued today means that people should be taking care not to overdo it, says the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
When temperatures are high, overexertion will increase the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration or heat stroke, they say in a release Monday, May 25.
They say 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
- 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 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.
Infants and young children, the frail elderly and people with chronic lung conditions or taking certain prescription drugs are more vulnerable to harm from overheating. Keep tabs on these people to make sure they’re staying safe.
For more information about extreme heat, visit the health unit’s website at www.smdhu.org, or call Health Connection at 721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
