First Heat Alert for Toronto May 30, 2013

This video presents “Heat Stress”:

Ontario Ministry of Labour explains heat stress

A heat alert has been declared today for Toronto in Ontario, Canada, and will be in effect until further notice.

During a Heat Alert, there is a greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness for a number of groups, including:

isolated adults and seniors

people with chronic and pre-existing illnesses

infants and young children

people on certain medications

those who are homeless

For family, friends and neighbours, especially the people in the above groups at risk, the City of Toronto encourages us to:

call or visit them

make sure they are cool and drinking plenty of fluids

“a few hours in a cooler environment during extremely hot weather lowers the core body temperature and helps save lives”

Furthermore, landlords of buildings without air conditioning can help by providing a dedicated cooling room for residents to escape the heat.

During a heat alert, community agencies are encouraged to:

educate clients on the risks of heat-related illness
call or check those clients at increased risk of heat-related illness

When an alert is declared, those who need assistance or have heat-related inquiries may call:

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call City of Toronto. They are open 24/7.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

You can “Beat the Heat” by taking these City-advised precautions:

Drink lots of water or natural fruit juices – do not wait to feel thirsty

Go to air conditioned places, including shopping malls or one of many local libraries or community centres located in each neighbourhood

Wear loose fitting, light coloured clothing made of breathable fabric

Stay out of the sun

Reduce strenuous physical outdoor activity, especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Never leave the elderly, children or pets unattended in a car

Please click here for more information on how to Beat the Heat.

Often high air pollution occurs during hot weather conditions:

People with heart and lung conditions as well as seniors and children should pay special attention to the hourly Air Quality Health Index levels and forecasts available at http://www.airhealth.ca.

Furthermore, Ontario is encouraging workplaces to make every effort to prevent heat stress, which can lead to worker illness, disability and even death.

Heat stress as an occupational hazard happens when working where it is hot puts stress on the body’s cooling system.

When heat is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, fluid loss, fatigue or some medical conditions, it could lead to serious consequences for the worker

Employers must take steps to protect their employees from the effects of this heat stress hazard such as:
- reducing the temperature and humidity through air cooling
- providing air-conditioned rest areas
- increasing the frequency and length of rest breaks
- scheduling strenuous jobs for cooler times of the day and
- providing cool drinking water near worker and remind them to drink a cup of water about every 20 minutes
- assigning additional workers or slow down the pace of work
- training workers to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress
- start a “buddy system” since people are not likely to notice their own symptoms

Symptoms of heat stress can include:

excessive sweating
headache
rashes
cramping
dizziness
fainting

Please note the following reasons for heat stress to be a life-threatening situation:

Workers most at risk for heat stress include those working:
- in hot environments – such as smelters, furnaces, bakeries
- outside in the summer

Prolonged exposure to heat stress can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition.

The victims of heat stroke are often unable to notice the symptoms
- their survival may depend on co-workers’ ability to identify symptoms and to seek immediate medical assistance

NEWS RELEASE

May 30, 2013

Heat Alert declared for Toronto

Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, has issued a Heat Alert for today. The Heat Alert will be in effect until further notice. This is the first Heat Alert in Toronto for 2013.

During a Heat Alert, the public is encouraged to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially isolated adults and seniors who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness, to make sure they are cool and are drinking plenty of fluids. Other groups at risk include people with chronic illnesses, limited mobility and with certain mental health illnesses, infants and young children, people on certain medications, and those who are homeless.

The public is advised to Beat the Heat by taking these precautions:
– Drink lots of cool water even before you feel thirsty
– Go to air-conditioned places, including shopping malls or one of many local libraries or community centres located in each neighbourhood
– Take cool showers or baths or use cool wet towels to cool down
– Wear loose, light coloured breathable clothing and when outdoors wear a
wide-brimmed hat
– Avoid the sun and stay in the shade or use an umbrella
– Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day
– Never leave seniors, children or pets unattended in a car.

Landlords of buildings without air conditioning are encouraged to provide a dedicated cooling room for vulnerable residents to escape the heat. Community agencies are encouraged to educate clients on the risks of heat-related illness and to call or check on those clients at increased risk of heat-related illness during alerts.

When an alert is declared, those who need assistance or have heat-related inquiries may call 311.

For more information on how to beat the heat, visit http://www.toronto.ca/health.

Often, high air pollution occurs during hot weather conditions. People with heart and lung conditions, seniors and children should pay special attention to the hourly Air Quality Health Index levels and forecasts available at http://www.airhealth.ca.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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