Resource
Extreme heat
On this page
- Extreme heat poster
- People at higher risk
- Health effects of heat
- Protect yourself and others from heat
- Check-in with others
- VCH Heat check-in support framework for non-governmental organizations
- Heat check-in training videos
- NCCEH Guide to health checks during extreme heat events
- Cooling centres & clean air spaces
- Creating Cooling Spaces During Hot Weather
- Heat warnings and extreme heat emergencies
- Vancouver Indoor Temperature Survey
- Policy tools to create and support cooler, safer indoor living spaces
- Extreme heat resources
- Resources for health professionals
Extreme heat can be very dangerous. Learn the symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and how to prepare for the heat season to protect your health and that of your neighbours, friends and family.
Extreme heat poster
Read about the health effects of extreme heat and ways to cool off.
Download the Extreme Heat PosterPeople at higher risk
Different people respond differently to heat, and some people are at higher risk of experiencing health effects. Staying cool is especially important for the following groups of people:
- older adults, aged 60 years or older
- people who live alone
- people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease
- people with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety
- people with substance use disorders, including alcohol
- people with limited mobility
- people who are marginally housed
- people who work in hot environments
- people who are pregnant
- infants and young children
Other people can be affected by heat too. Everyone responds differently, so listen to your body.
Health effects of heat
Extreme heat events, also known as "heat waves," can cause a number of heat-related illnesses, and can lead to an increase in deaths. Heat-related illness is an umbrella term for conditions caused by heat, such as heat rash, sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and, the most severe, heat stroke.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- heavy sweating
- dizziness
- nausea or vomiting
- rapid breathing & heartbeat
- headache
- difficulty concentrating
- muscle cramps
- extreme thirst
- new skin rash
- dark urine & decreased urination
Anyone with symptoms of heat exhaustion should move to a cool space, drink water, and apply cool water to large areas of the skin (cool bath, shower, or wet their clothes). Take these steps right away because heat exhaustion can quickly develop into heat stroke, which is a medical emergency.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- high body temperature (39°C/ 102°F or higher)
- fainting or drowsiness
- confusion
- lack of coordination
- very hot and red skin
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Seek medical attention immediately at an emergency room or urgent care centre. Call 911 if necessary. While waiting for help, cool the person right away by moving them to a cool space if possible, and apply cool water to large areas of the skin (cool bath, shower, or wet their clothes).
Protect yourself and others from heat
Spending time in a cool space and drinking plenty of water is the best way to prevent heat-related illnesses.
- Seek cooler indoor and outdoor spaces (i.e. a local community center, library or mall.)
- Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated, even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Use water to cool off by taking a cool shower or putting a part of your body in a cool bath.
- Wear a wet shirt or apply damp towels to your skin to cool down.
- Wear loose-fitting and light-coloured, breathable clothing.
- Limit activity, especially during the hottest hours of the day (generally 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in B.C.)
- Close windows and pull indoor/outdoor shades/blinds around 10 a.m. to trap the cooler air inside and block the sun.
- Open windows and doors around 9-10 p.m. to let the cooler overnight air in (check the outdoor temperature is indeed lower than indoors.)
- Use one or more fans strategically to help move cooler air into the home overnight.
- Use exhaust fans, usually located in kitchens and bathrooms, to move warmer indoor air to the outside, and open windows to pull in cooler outdoor air overnight.
- Consider getting an air conditioner for your home; if you have air conditioning, be sure to turn it on.
- Monitor indoor temperatures for yourself and those you are checking on.
- Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. For heat-vulnerable people, the risk for heat-related illness may increase at indoor temperatures over 26°C (78 °F) and may significantly increase at indoor temperatures over 31 °C (88 °F).
Wildfire smoke can also cause health problems. During both wildfire smoke and heat events, consider also filtering your air using HEPA air cleaners. Find out more about wildfire smoke.
Check-in with others
Check-in on your neighbours, friends and family often to ensure they are able to stay cool and have a plan in place. This can save lives. During previous heat events, a large proportion of the people who died were at home and socially isolated.
VCH Heat check-in support framework for non-governmental organizations
Heat check-ins happen in a variety of settings and by staff or volunteers with diverse training. Given the wide context, this framework was created so organizations may select the information that is most relevant to their setting to develop their own organizational check-in plans.
Download the heat check-in support frameworkHeat check-in training videos
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Heat check-in training
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Heat check-ins: train-the-trainer
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NCCEH Guide to health checks during extreme heat events
The National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH) has developed a guide to help people to check on the wellness of family, neighbours and other community members who may be at higher risk for heat illness. This five-page package provides key information and guidance. Available for download in English, French, Chinese and Punjabi.
Download the NCCEH Health Checks GuideCooling centres & clean air spaces
During a heat warning or alert, it is important to spend time in cool spaces. When outdoor temperatures are high, even workplaces and homes can be very hot and increase the risk of heat illness. Several cities and towns in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region operate specialized cooling centres or encourage people to use other public spaces to cool down (like libraries and community centres). Misting and water fill station stations may also be provided during a heat event.
Many local governments post updated information on their social media, including Twitter or Facebook, about weather alerts and available services. Some local governments also have Extreme Heat webpages.
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City of North Vancouver
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District of North Vancouver
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District of West Vancouver
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North Shore Emergency Management
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City of Richmond
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City of Vancouver
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City of North Vancouver
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District of North Vancouver
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North Shore Emergency Management
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City of Vancouver
(604) 873-7000 outside Vancouver
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City of Richmond
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Guidance for Community Organizations
Creating Cooling Spaces During Hot Weather
Evidence-informed public health guidance for community organizations to set up and operate inclusive, acceptable, and effective cool spaces.
Download the Cooling Spaces GuideHeat warnings and extreme heat emergencies
In response to the 2021 heat dome, multiple health sector partners and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have developed a BC Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS) for the summer of 2022. This two level alert system lays out the criteria that ECCC will use to issue a Heat Warning (Level 1) or an Extreme Heat Emergency alert (Level 2), the appropriate public health messaging for both types of alerts, and the recommended actions for health sector and other partners. The province will continue to refine and improve the BC HARS in the years ahead.
Read more about the BC HARS on the BCCDC website.
Alerts
Heat Warning (Level 1)
Threat: Daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than seasonal norms and holding steady
Action: Take the usual steps to stay cool.
Extreme Heat Emergency (Level 2)
Threat: Daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than seasonal norms and getting hotter every day.
Action: Activate your emergency plan.
Vancouver Indoor Temperature Survey
Since summer 2021, the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Centre for Disease Control have partnered to conduct a survey of self-reported temperatures. This information helps us better understand the relationship between indoor and outdoor temperatures and building characteristics across our communities. The goal of this work is to help inform recommendations for achieving safe cool temperatures inside existing buildings and help prevent heat illness.
Read the results of the 2021 Vancouver Indoor Air Temperature Survey.
Results of the 2022 survey will be released soon.
To participate in the survey this year (2023), please visit this link.
Policy tools to create and support cooler, safer indoor living spaces
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) conducted a review of policy and regulatory options that could increase thermal safety in homes within the VCH health region. The process included a jurisdictional scan of policy tools as well as key informant interviews with participants from different levels of government, housing and tenancy advocacy groups, and housing providers. In addition to describing a variety of policy options, findings indicate that multiple policy interventions at different levels of government are needed, as are strategies to overcome significant challenges relating to cost and feasibility, and to avoid unintended consequences.
Download the report: Policy tools to create and support cooler, safer indoor living spacesExtreme heat resources
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Extreme heat poster - English
Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health
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Extreme heat poster - Translated
Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health; Available in: English, Arabic, Chinese-Simplified, Chinese-Traditional, Hindi, Korean, Farsi, Punjabi, Spanish, Urdu, Vietnamese and Gujarati
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Health checks during extreme heat events
National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health; Available in: English, French, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese
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Extreme heat preparedness guide
Prepared BC; Available in: English, French, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese
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Fans in extreme heat FAQ
Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health
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Build your own cool kit
Vancouver Coastal Health and the City of Vancouver (Find at the bottom of the page); Available in: English, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese.
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Heat-related illness in infants and young children
HealthLink BC; Available in: English, Arabic, Chinese-Simplified, Chinese-Traditional, Farsi, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
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Using Substances During Extreme Heat
Towards the Heart
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Prepared together for extreme heat
Building Resilient Neighbourhoods and Hey Neighbour Collective; Neighbour-to-neighbour connections may save lives during heat events. See tips to connect, learn, & collaborate with neighbours.
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AC Care
Aboriginal Housing Management Association; Recommendations on safe and efficient operation of portable air conditioning units.
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Public weather alerts for British Columbia -including heat and air quality alerts
Environment and Climate Change Canada
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WeatherCAN App -weather alerts to smart phones, including heat and air quality alerts
Environment and Climate Change Canada
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Hello weather – automated telephone weather service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
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Heat check-in support framework for non-governmental organizations
Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health
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Heat Check-In Training Video
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Heat Check-Ins: Train-the-Trainer Video
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Example heat check-in script
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Heat check-In training slides
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Heat check-in training: Train the trainer slides
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Heat check-in practice scenarios
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Heat check-in practice scenarios: Facilitation guide
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Extreme weather check-in calls for multilingual seniors
MOSAIC. Available in multiple languages
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Creating cooling spaces during hot weather: Guidance for community organizations
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Emergency support for seniors framework
Renfrew Collingwood Senior’s Society
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Heat stress information for workers
WorkSafe BC
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Sample Heat and Wildfire Smoke Plan for Local Governments
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Heat response planning for Southern Interior B.C. communities: A toolkit
Interior Health; Learn what your community can do to prepare for heat.
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Outdoor Gatherings Guidance
Vancouver Coastal Health
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How to be a heat-healthy business leader
Fraser Health
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Heat stress information for workers
WorkSafe BC
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Child care facilities and heat
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Community care facilities and heat
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Resource guide: Heat Planning
VCH and Health Emergency Management BC; How community care facilities can begin heat planning and recommended months for each step.
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Heat Response Plan Template
VCH and Health Emergency Management BC; Fillable heat response plan template for community care facilities.
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Site assessment checklist
VCH and Health Emergency Management BC; Detailed site and clinical checklists to assist community care facilities with heat planning.
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Resident risk identification guidance
VCH and Health Emergency Management BC; Criteria to identify residents in community care facilities at highest risk from heat-related illness.
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Heat response preparation checklists
VCH and Health Emergency Management BC; Brief checklist for community care facilities to complete before each heat season.
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Heat response temperature log
Vancouver Coastal Health and Health Emergency Management BC; Indoor temperature recording template for community care facilities.
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Heat response checklist
Vancouver Coastal Health and Health Emergency Management BC; Daily readiness check for community care facilities during heat alerts.
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Heat-related illness: Prevention and Management in Community Care Facilities
Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care
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Extreme Heat Guidance for Restaurants
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Summer Heat Tips for Outdoor Worker Safety
Fraser Health
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Pool Operators on Extreme Heat and Smoke
Fraser Health
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Summer heat, smoke and health: Recommended actions for owners and managers of rental and strata housing
Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health
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Resources to prepare buildings and facilities for extreme heat
BC Housing
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Heat wellness check-in card for tenants
BC Housing
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Creating cooling spaces during hot weather: Guidance for community organizations
Vancouver Coastal Health
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Resources for health professionals
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Community care during extreme heat
Health Canada
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Acute care during extreme heat
Health Canada
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Health facilities preparation for extreme heat
Health Canada
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Technical guide for health care workers
Health Canada
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For pharmacists (including medication risk factors)
Health Canada
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