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Extreme Heat

Protect Yourself during Heat Waves

Extreme heat can have health impacts, especially dehydration, significant fatigue, headache, nausea, and dizziness. Avoid heat's harmful effects:
  1. STAY HYDRATED: Drink plenty of fluids (e.g., water, juice diluted with water, sports drinks without caffeine) without waiting to feel thirsty or as recommended by a doctor.
  2. KEEP COOL: Spend at least 2 hours a day somewhere cool (ideally with air-conditioning).
  3. LIMIT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: From 10 a.m. until the evening, avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors.

Recommended Cool Places

There are many cool places available:

  • shopping centres
  • cinemas
  •  libraries
  • other air-conditioned places.
If you don't have air-conditioning at home, you should spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned place during a heat wave. If that is not possible, look for somewhere cool outside.

At-Risk Areas

Certain environmental features increase heat-related health risks. For example, urban areas with a significant amount of asphalted surfaces, certain types of buildings, and scant vegetation can create what is known as the "urban heat-island effect." Heat islands can be up to 12°C hotter than other areas in the same region. There is a high concentration of urban heat islands in the various municipalities in Estrie. If you live in an urban heat island, you are at greater risk of having heat-related issues. Locating Heat Islands in Estrie (French)

Chaleur extrême et COVI​D-19

Dans le contexte de pandémie, l'isolement est requis pour certaines personnes, notamment celles ayant la COVID-19 (https://www.quebec.ca/sante/problemes-de-sante/a-z/coronavirus-2019/isolement/quand-faut-il-sisoler).

Exceptionnellement, lorsque l'étape d'alerte ou de mobilisation du plan d'action régional CHALEUR est atteinte, une personne en isolement en raison de la COVID-19 peut sortir à l'extérieur pour avoir un répit dans un endroit plus frais si la température intérieure du domicile devient trop élevée et que les mesures recommandées pour se rafraichir ne suffisent pas. 

Elle peut donc : 

  • Fréquenter une cour même si elle est partagée;
  • Sortir de la cour pour trouver un endroit ombragé (ex. : au parc).

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