July 30, 2021
Best Practices and Safety for Heat Wave and Long Weekend
As we head into a hot BC Day August long weekend, the Ambulance Paramedics & Emergency Dispatchers want to remind everyone to be safe and use best practices for activities and the heat. BC Day long weekend brings us all eagerness to break for the outdoors and explore. It’s time to load up the vehicles, hit the roads, adventure, and put the boat in the water. While these are all popular items on a long weekend checklist, understandably we all tend to get a bit overanxious with the anticipated enjoyment that lies ahead. It is important to take all safety precautions to avoid injury and make sure we all can have a safe and fun weekend. From the car to the cabin, to the boat, to the entertainment, we ask that we all take the extra steps to be safe and help protect us all from accidents and injuries this long weekend.
As the weather continues to warm up in many parts of the province, we urge British Columbians to do their part to prevent human-caused wildfires and help keep communities safe. Human-caused fires are completely preventable and can unnecessarily divert firefighting resources from naturally occurring wildfires.
We would like to also remind you about the best practices when it comes to coping with higher-than-normal temperatures.
Here are some reminders:
- Extreme heat affects everyone.
- The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.
- Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.
- Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place.
- Check on older family, friends and neighbours. Make sure they are cool and drinking water
- Reduce your heat risk. Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.
- Seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, swimming pool, shower or bath, or air-conditioned spot like a public building.
- Shade yourself with an umbrella or a wide-brimmed hat.
- Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.
- Ask a health professional how medications or health conditions can affect your risk in the heat.
- Watch for the symptoms of heat illness: dizziness/fainting; nausea/vomiting; rapid breathing and heartbeat; extreme thirst; decreased urination with unusually dark urine.
- Keep your house cool. Block the sun by closing curtains or blinds.
- Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks in a cool place.
To get more information:
- Check the local news for health and safety updates.
- Check HealthLinkBC online resources about heat-related illness and how to protect yourself at www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/heat-related-illness
- Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to ask about heat-related illness.
Environment Canada and local Medical Health Officers expect an increase in health and safety risks from heat and are advising the public to take precautions.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to or tweet reports using #BCStorm.
From our medical dispatchers, call takers to our ground paramedics and air ambulance teams, to our community paramedics, who are working hard over the weekend and every day to ensure you get timely, quality, and advanced medical aid and transport to hospital we thank you all, be safe and well.
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