Community Articles (listed by posting date)
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General News · 8th June 2025
Mercedes Grant
Healthy Communities Series // Staying Cool In Extreme Heat
For some, the summer season heralds the hopes of growing and harvesting, or making vacation plans - but increasingly, many more of us are now met with the anxiety of facing yet another season of drought, increased fire risk, and the looming potential of extreme heat - direct consequences of the climate and ecological crisis. During the week of the Heat Dome in 2021, over 600 people died from the impacts of extreme temperatures. 79% of people who died were 65 years and older. This event prompted the Human Rights Watch group to release a report, citing that “inadequate government support” compounded risks for people with disabilities and the elderly.
While there are certain populations of people more at risk, including children, babies, outdoor and manual labour workers, and people experiencing poverty and homelessness - extreme heat is dangerous for everyone. The reality is that we cannot rely fully on the authorities to do what’s necessary to protect citizens, so we have to take care of each other as community members.Take actions to support the folks most affected in your community/neighborhood.
Key Impacts of Heat Stress on Health >>>
Increased Heart Rate: When exposed to heat, the heart rate increases to pump more blood to the skin for cooling, potentially leading to fatigue and decreased performance.
Sweating: Sweating helps cool the body, but excessive sweating can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, causing muscle cramps and weakness.
Blood Pressure Drop: Heat can cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to a drop in blood pressure, which might result in dizziness or fainting.
Kidney Damage: Extreme heat can cause kidney failure due to dehydration and increased toxin buildup.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Heat can cause the gut lining to break down, leading to gastrointestinal issues and potential blood poisoning.
Brain Function: Heat can impair cognitive function, making it harder to concentrate and perform complex tasks.
Respiratory Problems: Heat can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions and increase the risk of respiratory infections.
Skin Conditions: Heat can lead to skin rashes and other dermatological issues.
Heat Exhaustion: Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to heat exhaustion, characterized by heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea.
Heat Stroke: In severe cases, heat can cause heat stroke, a medical emergency where the body temperature rises above 40°C, leading to organ failure and potentially death.
Actions To Take To Protect Yourself and Your Community >>>
The World Health Organization recommends the following action steps to take to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. Note that not all of these recommendations will be accessible for everyone.
Stay out of the heat
Avoid going outside and doing strenuous activity during the hottest time of day.
Stay in the shade. Remember that perceived temperatures in the sun can be 10–15 ˚C higher.
Spend 2–3 hours during the day in a cool place.
Be aware of the risk of drowning. Never swim alone.
Stay informed about official heat warnings.
Keep your home cool
Use the night air to cool down your home by opening windows after dark when the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.
During the day when outdoor temperatures are higher than indoors, close windows and cover them with blinds or shutters to block direct sunlight. Turn off as many electrical devices as possible.
Use electric fans only when temperatures are below 40 ˚C / 104 ˚F. In temperatures above 40 ˚C / 104 ˚F, fans will heat the body.
If using air conditioning, set the thermostat to 27 ˚C / 81 ˚F and turn on an electric fan – this will make the room feel 4 ˚C cooler. It can also save up to 70% on your electricity bill for cooling.
Remember that it may be cooler outdoors in the shade.
Keep your body cool and hydrated
Use light and loose-fitting clothing and bed linens.
Take cool showers or baths.
Wet your skin using a damp cloth, spray, or wet light clothing.
Drink water regularly (1 cup of water per hour and at least 2–3 litres per day).
Regularly check in with vulnerable people in your circle – especially people over 65 years old and those with heart, lung or kidney conditions, a disability, and living alone.
Protect infants and children
Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles for any amount of time, as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high.
Avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, seeking shade or staying indoors instead. Shade can reduce how hot you feel by more than 10 °C.
Never cover an infant stroller / pram with dry fabric – this makes it hotter inside the carriage. Instead, use a wet, thin cloth and re-wet as necessary to lower the temperature. Combine with a portable fan for even greater cooling.
Dress children in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers their skin, and use wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect them from the sun’s rays.
Follow the guidance on keeping your home cool to maintain a safe indoor temperature.
The Human Rights Watch report included a clear call from the public and Human Rights experts, for the government to do everything it can to improve support during extreme heat events, from providing subsidized cooling systems like heat pumps and air conditioning units, to making information and alerts about impending heat waves more accessible, in addition to developing sustainable housing infrastructure with higher standards for the impacts of the climate crisis and “heatwave readiness”. Importantly, the report cites the dire necessity for the government to take the climate emergency seriously, and to enact a climate action plan that includes phasing out fossil fuels and “aggressively” moving towards sustainable energy solutions.
Resources Available To Learn More >>>
Online Webinar // United Way’s “Coping With Extreme Heat - Recommendations & Challenges For Aging” from SFU Lifelong Health & Wellbeing Lab, Simon Fraser University Speaker: Dr. Victoria Michalowski
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/mPfj0EgzwWE?si=efj3meM3r7U10Fss
PDF of Presentation (for reading and/or printing): https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/36663
PDF Booklet // 5 Simple Neighbourly Actions To Get Ready For Extreme Heat
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/36664
PDF Booklet // Staying Active During The Summer: Tips For Older Adults
https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-headlines/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2024/06/26/staying-active-during-the-summer-tips-for-older-adults
Upcoming Event // Home Energy Rebates For Cortes Seniors
DATE // June 12th, 2025
TIME // 1:00pm
LOCATION // Manson’s Hall, Pioneer Room
The Better at Home Program will be working with Ecotrust Canada & the Clean BC Better Homes Energy Program to get heat pumps installed in seniors homes this fall. Getting firewood is getting harder and more expensive every year so more people are using their baseboard heaters on a regular basis, which is expensive. Heat pumps are more efficient for both heating and cooling your home.
We will be putting in a bulk application for Better at Home clients for heat pumps. We start intake in June and hope to start the first round of installations in September by a registered program contractor (from Campbell River). Many clients in our program will be eligible for a 85-100% rebate.
For some, the summer season heralds the hopes of growing and harvesting, or making vacation plans - but increasingly, many more of us are now met with the anxiety of facing yet another season of drought, increased fire risk, and the looming potential of extreme heat - direct consequences of the climate and ecological crisis. During the week of the Heat Dome in 2021, over 600 people died from the impacts of extreme temperatures. 79% of people who died were 65 years and older. This event prompted the Human Rights Watch group to release a report, citing that “inadequate government support” compounded risks for people with disabilities and the elderly.
While there are certain populations of people more at risk, including children, babies, outdoor and manual labour workers, and people experiencing poverty and homelessness - extreme heat is dangerous for everyone. The reality is that we cannot rely fully on the authorities to do what’s necessary to protect citizens, so we have to take care of each other as community members.Take actions to support the folks most affected in your community/neighborhood.
Key Impacts of Heat Stress on Health >>>
Increased Heart Rate: When exposed to heat, the heart rate increases to pump more blood to the skin for cooling, potentially leading to fatigue and decreased performance.
Sweating: Sweating helps cool the body, but excessive sweating can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, causing muscle cramps and weakness.
Blood Pressure Drop: Heat can cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to a drop in blood pressure, which might result in dizziness or fainting.
Kidney Damage: Extreme heat can cause kidney failure due to dehydration and increased toxin buildup.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Heat can cause the gut lining to break down, leading to gastrointestinal issues and potential blood poisoning.
Brain Function: Heat can impair cognitive function, making it harder to concentrate and perform complex tasks.
Respiratory Problems: Heat can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions and increase the risk of respiratory infections.
Skin Conditions: Heat can lead to skin rashes and other dermatological issues.
Heat Exhaustion: Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to heat exhaustion, characterized by heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea.
Heat Stroke: In severe cases, heat can cause heat stroke, a medical emergency where the body temperature rises above 40°C, leading to organ failure and potentially death.
Actions To Take To Protect Yourself and Your Community >>>
The World Health Organization recommends the following action steps to take to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. Note that not all of these recommendations will be accessible for everyone.
Stay out of the heat
Avoid going outside and doing strenuous activity during the hottest time of day.
Stay in the shade. Remember that perceived temperatures in the sun can be 10–15 ˚C higher.
Spend 2–3 hours during the day in a cool place.
Be aware of the risk of drowning. Never swim alone.
Stay informed about official heat warnings.
Keep your home cool
Use the night air to cool down your home by opening windows after dark when the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.
During the day when outdoor temperatures are higher than indoors, close windows and cover them with blinds or shutters to block direct sunlight. Turn off as many electrical devices as possible.
Use electric fans only when temperatures are below 40 ˚C / 104 ˚F. In temperatures above 40 ˚C / 104 ˚F, fans will heat the body.
If using air conditioning, set the thermostat to 27 ˚C / 81 ˚F and turn on an electric fan – this will make the room feel 4 ˚C cooler. It can also save up to 70% on your electricity bill for cooling.
Remember that it may be cooler outdoors in the shade.
Keep your body cool and hydrated
Use light and loose-fitting clothing and bed linens.
Take cool showers or baths.
Wet your skin using a damp cloth, spray, or wet light clothing.
Drink water regularly (1 cup of water per hour and at least 2–3 litres per day).
Regularly check in with vulnerable people in your circle – especially people over 65 years old and those with heart, lung or kidney conditions, a disability, and living alone.
Protect infants and children
Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles for any amount of time, as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high.
Avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, seeking shade or staying indoors instead. Shade can reduce how hot you feel by more than 10 °C.
Never cover an infant stroller / pram with dry fabric – this makes it hotter inside the carriage. Instead, use a wet, thin cloth and re-wet as necessary to lower the temperature. Combine with a portable fan for even greater cooling.
Dress children in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers their skin, and use wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect them from the sun’s rays.
Follow the guidance on keeping your home cool to maintain a safe indoor temperature.
The Human Rights Watch report included a clear call from the public and Human Rights experts, for the government to do everything it can to improve support during extreme heat events, from providing subsidized cooling systems like heat pumps and air conditioning units, to making information and alerts about impending heat waves more accessible, in addition to developing sustainable housing infrastructure with higher standards for the impacts of the climate crisis and “heatwave readiness”. Importantly, the report cites the dire necessity for the government to take the climate emergency seriously, and to enact a climate action plan that includes phasing out fossil fuels and “aggressively” moving towards sustainable energy solutions.
Resources Available To Learn More >>>
Online Webinar // United Way’s “Coping With Extreme Heat - Recommendations & Challenges For Aging” from SFU Lifelong Health & Wellbeing Lab, Simon Fraser University Speaker: Dr. Victoria Michalowski
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/mPfj0EgzwWE?si=efj3meM3r7U10Fss
PDF of Presentation (for reading and/or printing): https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/36663
PDF Booklet // 5 Simple Neighbourly Actions To Get Ready For Extreme Heat
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/36664
PDF Booklet // Staying Active During The Summer: Tips For Older Adults
https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-headlines/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2024/06/26/staying-active-during-the-summer-tips-for-older-adults
Upcoming Event // Home Energy Rebates For Cortes Seniors
DATE // June 12th, 2025
TIME // 1:00pm
LOCATION // Manson’s Hall, Pioneer Room
The Better at Home Program will be working with Ecotrust Canada & the Clean BC Better Homes Energy Program to get heat pumps installed in seniors homes this fall. Getting firewood is getting harder and more expensive every year so more people are using their baseboard heaters on a regular basis, which is expensive. Heat pumps are more efficient for both heating and cooling your home.
We will be putting in a bulk application for Better at Home clients for heat pumps. We start intake in June and hope to start the first round of installations in September by a registered program contractor (from Campbell River). Many clients in our program will be eligible for a 85-100% rebate.
