Heat Warning issued for Kawartha Lakes from September 5 to September 6

Kawartha Lakes – The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit is informing the County of Haliburton, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County that Environment Canada has forecasted hot, humid weather continuing through Wednesday September 6, 2023.

The HKPR District Health Unit is taking protective action by alerting the public of extreme heat events to prevent and reduce heat-related illnesses and direct community response and outreach to at-risk and priority populations. Based on criteria from Environment Canada, the HKPR District Health Unit will issue the following alerts:

• Heat Warning: when the daytime temperature is expected to be 31°C or higher, with a minimum overnight low of 20°C or higher, for two (2) consecutive days. A heat warning can also be issued when the humidex is forecast to be 40 or higher for two (2) consecutive days.
• Extending Heat Warning: when the same conditions apply above, but the heat event is expected to last for three or more days in a row.

Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can be very dangerous, especially to those most vulnerable to health risks including people who work outdoors, people who are unhoused, elderly and some people with disabilities or chronic diseases, people who are pregnant, and children and infants. Monitor yourself and those around you for signs of heat-related illness and seek medical attention if required.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke include:

• tiredness and weakness
• dizziness and/or fainting
• rash
• nausea or vomiting
• rapid breathing and headache
• extreme thirst
• decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine

To help reduce your risk of heat-related illnesses during an extreme heat warning, ensure you drink lots of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty and try to spend time in an air-conditioned home or public building, such as a shopping mall, library, or community centre. Contact your local municipality to ask about designated public cooling centres.

Tips to Staying Cool Indoors

During an extreme heat warning staying indoors can limit direct sun exposure, but it can also cause potential health risks if indoor temperatures get too warm. Stay cool indoors by covering windows and using a fan to circulate air, keep lights off or low, avoid using the oven or hot appliances, take a cool bath or shower and turning on air conditioning, if available.

Tips to Staying Cool Outdoors

During an extreme heat warning it may not be possible for some people to remain indoors or access air-conditioned spaces. Stay cool outdoors by avoid direct sunlight by staying in the shade, reducing physical activity and outdoor sports, wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, and monitor yourself and others for signs of heat-related illness.

Know where to go locally to help beat the heat

For those who may not have air conditioning and are looking for a place to cool off, the municipality offers the following to help you beat the heat:

• Public Swimming at the Lindsay Recreation Complex and the Forbert Pool (Bobcaygeon)
• Splash pads are located at Tommy Anderson Park (Bobcaygeon), Elgin Park (Lindsay), Logie Park (Lindsay), and Garnet Graham Park (Fenelon Falls). Splash pads are set to open seven days a week from 10am to 8pm.
• The Boys and Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes has a splash pad at 107 Lindsay Street South, Lindsay that is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays from 10am to 5pm starting on June 17.  
• Public Skating at the Lindsay Recreation Complex.
• All Public Library branches have air conditioning.
• A list of all public beaches is available on the Kawartha Lakes website. Don’t forget to check the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s local beaches page to ensure the beach is safe for swimming prior to jumping in!

Cooling centres

A cooling centre will be made available to residents during extended heat warnings at the Lindsay Recreation Complex. Stay tuned to our website to be notified of an extended heat warning and cooling centre hours. Please note, as of September 5, we are not in an extended heat warning and cooling centres are not currently available.

The municipality is committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors stay safe from the effects of extreme heat. Visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/extremeheat for tips on how to stay cool and safe.

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