Maroc - MYCOWICHANVALLEYNOW.COM - A La Une - 08/Jul 18:26

Island Health urges precautions during heat warning

As the hot weather continues to affect communities, Island Health is urging you to take precautions. Environment and Climate Change Canada has expanded the heat warning to other regions on Vancouver Island, including Port Alberni, north towards Woss and south towards Sooke. The warning has been in effect since Friday, seeing temperatures go up to the low 30s, with overnight lows near 16 degrees. While the province hasn’t issued an extreme heat emergency for the region, Island Health says the high temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illness. People most at risk of the illness include older adults, people who live by themselves, those who have schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety, those with diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease, pregnant people, infants and young children. With the heat warning set to last until Tuesday night, the health authority encourages you to prepare and respond to the hot weather. If you have air conditioning, make sure it’s working. If you don’t have any at home, go to libraries, community centres, movie theatres, and malls to cool down, or go to places with a lot of shade and running water, according to Island Health. They add you should close windows, use fans either in the late nights or early mornings, keep track of temperatures, drink plenty of water and liquids, take a cool shower, and call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. For more tips, click here. The post Island Health urges precautions during heat warning appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.