Stay Cool, Kawartha Lakes! Summer Heat Safety Tips and Resources

Kawartha Lakes – There’s a heat wave coming this week. Per Environment Canada, temperatures in Kawartha Lakes are expected to break the 30° Celsius (C) mark starting Sunday June 22 through at least Tuesday June 24.

Extremely hot temperatures like this can potentially pose health risks for certain people and pets.

The municipality is committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors stay safe from the effects of extreme heat. The first step in doing that is to alert the community whenever there is the potential for extreme heat.

We do that by sending out heat alerts through news releases and social media posts. Want to receive these alerts directly? Be sure to subscribe to Weather and Emergency News through your Jump Inbox to ensure that you get extreme heat and other important weather related news right to your email inbox. You can also follow us on X and Facebook.

How do Heat Alerts work?

During the warmer months, Environment Canada will caution certain areas about extreme heat through heat warnings. Heat warnings will always be shared 12 to 18 hours in advance of the heat event.

There are two kinds of Heat Alerts that we share:

Heat warning: heat warnings will be issued when the temperature reaches 31°C or higher during the day, and is 20°C or higher at night for at least two days in a row. They will also be issued if there is a Humidex of 40°C or higher for at least two days in a row.

Extended heat warning: extended heat warnings will be issued when the temperature reaches 31°C or higher during the day, and is 20°C or higher at night for at least three days in a row. They will also be issued if there’s a Humidex of 40°C or higher for at least three days in a row. 

Visit the Extreme Heat page on the Kawartha Lakes website for more information about Heat Alerts.

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 opened for the season on June 13 and they're open seven days a week from 10am to 8pm.
  • Note: The Elgin Park (Lindsay) Splash Pad is only running at two thirds capacity, but it is open.
• 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 in the summer.  
• Public Skating at the Lindsay Recreation Complex.
• All Public Library branches have air conditioning and residents are welcome to drop in any time during open hours to cool down and enjoy everything our libraries have to offer.
• 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 only at the Lindsay Recreation Complex. Stay tuned to our website and social media to be notified of any extended heat warnings and cooling centre hours.

Support local and beat the heat

Downtowns across the municipality will be hosting events throughout the month and they’re never too far from the water or a place to cool down! View the events calendar on our website to learn more.

You can also subscribe to our events calendar to stay up-to-date on everything that’s happening throughout the municipality. 

Tips and tricks to keep yourself, family and pets safe in the heat:

During extremely hot and humid weather keep yourself, your family and your pets safe by taking the following actions:

• Never leave children or pets alone in a closed or parked vehicle
• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water even if you don’t feel thirsty
• Avoid going out in the heat and stay in the shade as much as possible
• Check in regularly with vulnerable family members, neighbours, friends and others who could be affected by the extreme heat
• Take frequent breaks if you work outdoors
• Avoid wearing dark colours because they absorb the sun’s rays
• Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity during the hottest part of the day

For tips on recognizing and treating the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke visit the Extreme Heat page on our website.

Staying Connected
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