Heat warnings issued for the area

BRANDON CLARK The Standard

NORTH DURHAM: Shortly before 3 a.m. on Monday, July 17th, a heat warning was issued for the North Durham Region. It is expected to continue until Thursday night. Until then, daytime temperatures may rise, from 29 to 32 degrees Celsius, while nighttime's may drop to 19 and 23 degrees.

Residents must take action to protect themselves, as aggressive heat conditions have a detrimental affect on health. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Heat exhaustion presents various signs. Headaches, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine, and fatigue are early red flags of heat exhaustion. Should someone present signs of this or observe these signs to the extreme in others, they should reach out to their emergency healthcare provider or call 9-1-1. Warning signs of heatstroke include: red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and shifts in consciousness. Until one or the other shows up, move the unwell individual to a cool place. Remove extra clothing, and apply cold water and ice packs to their body.

If you are experiencing heatstroke you should, drink water frequently and close blinds to shield yourself from the heat. If you have it, turn on air conditioning and move to a cooler area of your residence. If this is not an option, head to a community centre or building protected from the heat. Schedule events early in the day, before the sun is directly overhead, and/or limit direct exposure until the latter part of the day.

Never leave people inside vehicles, especially children and pets. Ensure your vehicle is vacant and locked before leaving it.

For more information, visit www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/how-protect-yourself.html or www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/who-is-at-risk.html, or go to the Standard News website and click the direct link, marked 'How to protect yourself from extreme-heat.'