What to do in a heat wave sources ot help

 Summer is here and living is easy, except if you experience a Heatwave. My province is launching the BC Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS) to help ensure people, First Nations communities and local governments have the tools they need to stay safe during heat events. I am sure that every jurisdiction has similar resources. Please check your area by doing a google search for ""

Under BC HARS, the Province is prepared to issue a Broadcast Intrusive alert for extreme heat emergencies. The province is also bringing in additional measures to bolster B.C.’s ambulance system to better respond to a significant increase in 911 calls during a heat emergency. I am sure that every jurisdiction has similar warning systems in place. To check what resources you have in your are do a Google search "heat alert warning resources"

BC HARS includes two categories of heat events: heat warnings and extreme heat emergencies. In the event of a heat warning or extreme heat emergency, the provincial government and local authorities will take appropriate actions based on their individual heat plans and processes.

For extreme heat emergencies, the province is prepared to issue alerts through the national public alerting system, Alert Ready, which is already used to issue Amber alerts and tsunami, wildfire and flood warnings.

The province has also created a new Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide (click on the link to go to the site and then you can download the guide) targeted at helping people prepare their residences for extreme heat and that provides advice about how to stay safe when temperatures rise. The guide is available in French, Punjabi, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese and was created in partnership with the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Actions people can take to keep themselves and others safer during a heat event include identifying cool zones inside and outside their homes (community centres, libraries etc.), taking cool baths or showers, drinking plenty of water and checking in with vulnerable neighbours.

Heat illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps (muscle cramps). Watch for symptoms of heat illness, including dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, confusion, headache, rapid breathing and heartbeat, extreme thirst, and decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine. If someone experiences any of these symptoms during extreme heat, they should immediately move to a cool place, start cooling down and drink liquids. 

Heat Warning	Daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than seasonal norms and holding steady.	Take the usual steps to stay cool.
Extreme Heat Emergency	Daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than seasonal norms and getting hotter every day.	Activate your emergency plan.

You can check for heat warnings or emergencies by following the trusted sources below: