The first heat alert has been declared for Toronto today and will be in effect until further notice.
During a Healt 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 and
- those who are marginally housed or 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, and
- 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.
And community agencies are encouraged to educate clients on the risks of heat-related illness and to call or check those clients at increased risk of heat-related illness during alert.
Please note that when a Heat Alert is declared, those who need assistance or have heat-related inquiries may call the Canadian Red Cross Heat Information Line at 416-480-2615 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
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.
During Extreme Heat Alerts, the City opens the following Cooling Centres:
-
Centennial Recreation Centre
1967 Ellesmere Road
(Ellesmere west of Markham)
Open: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. -
Driftwood Community Centre
4401 Jane Street
(Jane north of Finch)
Open: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. -
East York Civic Centre
850 Coxwell Avenue
(Coxwell and Mortimer)
Open: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. -
Etobicoke Olympium
590 Rathburn Road
(Rathburn west of Renforth)
Open: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. -
McGregor Community Centre
2231 Lawrence Avenue East
(Lawrence east of Birchmount)
Open: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. -
Metro Hall
55 John Street
(John and King)
Open: 24 hours -
North York Civic Centre
5100 Yonge Street
(Yonge and Sheppard)
Open: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Did you know that often high air pollution occurs during hot weather conditions?
Thus, 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.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
News Release
May 31, 2011
Heat Alert declared for Toronto
Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, has issued a Heat Alert for Toronto today. This is the first Heat Alert for 2011 and it will be in effect until further notice.
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 drinking plenty of fluids. Other groups at risk include people with chronic and pre-existing illnesses, infants and young children, people on certain medications and those who are marginally housed or homeless.
The public is advised to “Beat the Heat” by taking these 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.
Landlords of buildings without air conditioning are encouraged to provide a dedicated cooling room for residents to escape the heat. Community agencies are encouraged to educate clients on the risks of heat-related illness and to call or check 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 the Canadian Red Cross Heat Information Line at 416-480-2615 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
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.
For more information on how to Beat the Heat visit http://www.toronto.ca/health.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 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.