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To help your family and community stay safe this summer, cool down with these summer heat tips.
Chill at home
- Turn on the air conditioning and make sure it is in good working condition. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, you can visit a public facility that will have them like shopping malls and movie theatres.
- Utilize fans in your home strategically. Any ceiling fans can be run counter-clockwise to create cool air. Portable fans can be used to help cool your home down if you place them where you can feel their cooling presence. At night, you can place a portable fan by an open window to pull in cold air.
- Keep the lights off or use them minimally during the day.
- Take a refreshing cold shower.
- Cover windows in your home with drapes or shades. This can help reduce the amount of heat that will enter your home.
- Cook meals with a slow cooker or tabletop grill rather than an oven or stovetop to limit heat.
- Wear light clothing.
Venturing outdoors
- Be sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Bring a reusable water bottle with you when you will be outside for long periods of the day.
- Limit alcohol, caffeine or carbonated drinks as they tend to dehydrate more than hydrate.
- Plan to schedule any outdoor exercises or activities during early mornings and later in the evenings.
- When outdoors, try to stay in shady areas as much as possible.
- Make sure to supervise children playing outside and look for signs of dehydration.
Symptoms of heat illness
- Fast breathing.
- Feeling weak.
- Fainting.
- Drowsy.
- Headache.
- If you spot someone with heat illness try moving them to a shady area and have them sip cool water.
- Seek medical attention if you or someone you know is feeling nauseous, vomiting and have painful cramps.
- In an emergency, call 911.
Look out for others
- Check on your elderly neighbours to see how they are managing in the extreme heat.
- Keep an eye on infants and young children to make sure they are not overexerting themselves during sweltering temperatures.
- Don’t leave a child or pet in a hot car.
You can still enjoy summer and have fun in the sun despite the scorching hot temperatures. Just ease on the side of caution, especially during heat wave warnings and keep hydrated.
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These tips are provided for information and prevention purposes only. They are general in nature, and Desjardins Insurance cannot be held liable for them. We recommend using caution and consulting an expert for comprehensive, tailored advice.
In Quebec, Desjardins Insurance refers to Desjardins General Insurance Inc. In Ontario and Alberta, Desjardins Insurance refers to Certas Direct Insurance Company, underwriter of automobile and property insurance.
