Prepare for heat
July 9, 2024
People throughout British Columbia are encouraged to be prepared for heat as many regions of the province will experience high temperatures beginning Friday, July 5, 2024.
Heat warnings and special-weather statements are in place for coastal areas of B.C., and ECCC is expected to expand warnings to the Interior. High temperatures are expected to first hit Vancouver Island and southwestern B.C. and spread to the Interior. The hot weather is expected to last into the middle of next week.
For many, these will be the first high temperatures of the season, which can lead some people to overheat because they are not yet accustomed to warmer weather.
People are encouraged to begin preparing for hot summer weather and reviewing their own plans for potential extreme heat emergencies. The Province’s PreparedBC Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide includes information about how to prepare for heat and tips about how to stay safe. The guide is available in French, Punjabi, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese. The guide is available here: https://PreparedBC.ca/ExtremeHeat
Plan to stay safe in the heat:
- Identify cool zones inside your home or nearby, such as a shaded outdoor location or air-conditioned space where you can cool off on hot days.
- Consider places in your community to spend time, such as libraries, community centres, religious spaces, movie theatres or shopping malls.
- Check in regularly with family members and neighbours who are at higher risk.
- Shut windows and close curtains or blinds during the heat of the day to block the sun and to prevent hotter outdoor air from coming inside.
- Open doors and windows and use fans when it is cooler outside to move cooler air indoors.
- Prepare to cool down by applying cool cloths and drinking plenty of water.
- Use caution when cooling down in streams and lakes due to high flow in some areas and very cold water temperatures.
- Never leave children or pets alone in a parked car.
