Environment Canada has issued a heat warning on June 17, with dangerously hot and humid conditions expected through most of the week. Extreme heat can affect everyone's health, but health risks are greater for older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people, people with physical and/or mental illness, and people with mobility issues.

The Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal is opening the Ingredion Centre at 4050 Dishaw Street in Cardinal as a cooling centre for anyone seeking relief from the heat. The cooling centre will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Ingredion Centre has an air-conditioned lobby, an indoor walking track, and free Wi-Fi for individuals looking to cool down and relax.

Please also take advantage of our community swimming pools in Cardinal and Johnstown. Public swim times are posted on our community events calendar.

We encourage all residents to take necessary precautions during this period of extreme heat, and to utilize the cooling centre as needed. Please feel free to share this information with friends, family, and neighbours who may benefit from this cooling centre.

A message from our Health Unit

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit advises everyone to take precautions this week during the hot and humid weather.

These high temperatures and humidity may affect your health. Becoming over heated can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and in some cases death. Even short periods of exposure to high temperatures can cause health problems.

When to seek medical attention

If you experience the following symptoms after exposure to extreme heat seek medical attention immediately:

• Nausea, dizziness, blurred vision
• Difficulty or rapid breathing
• Severe headache or confusion
• Convulsion
• Fever

Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk; however the following people are in greater danger of being affected:

• Elderly
• People with chronic illness or who take certain medications
• Infants and preschool children
• People who have challenges with housing and shelter
• People who participate in physical activity or are involved in strenuous outdoor work for prolonged period

Precautions

Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, advises to keep cool and hydrated this week and to take the following precautions:

• Do not leave children, adults or pets in parked cars or sleeping outside in direct sunlight.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the side effects of your medications.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Remember to take sips often and not to guzzle your drink. Learn more about hydration at unlockfood.ca.
• Eat foods that have high water content such as watermelon, grapes and oranges.
• Limit caffeinated beverages such as coffee and cola.
• Don’t skip meals, instead eat smaller amounts more often. Use Canada’s New Food Guide. Check out the snacks on this page. If you can, eat a variety of foods that can be prepared safely without using the oven.
• Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible.
• Wear loose fitting, light clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
• Reduce the use of personal vehicles, stop unnecessary idling; avoid using oil-based paints and glues, pesticides and gas-powered small engines.
• Whenever possible go to an air-conditioned room or building.

Stay cool

For those who don’t have air conditioning and are looking to find a way to stay cool:

• There are a few cooling centres being set up in the LGL area. The Health Unit will be posting those sites on their website as they learn about them.
• In your house, keep electric lights off or turned down low.
• Keep window shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home.
• Use fans to draw cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan as a main cooling device during long periods of high heat and humidity.
• To keep yourself cool:
  • Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
  • Visit a local splash pad.
  • The local beaches are not starting bacteria testing until later this month.

More information

Environment Canada and Climate Change issues warnings when the:

• Daytime temperature of 31ºC or higher and nighttime temperature not cooler than 20ºC for at least two days, or
• Humidex of 40ºC for at least two days

For more information on how to protect your health during extreme heat, visit the Health Unit's Exposure to Hot/Cold Temperatures page. For specific health heat-related questions call 1-800-660-5853 or 613-345-5685.