Beat the Heat!

What is extreme heat?

Extreme Heat is when daytime and nighttime temperatures get hotter every day and are well above seasonal norms.

Extreme Heat is defined through two tiers in the City of Nanaimo.

Tier One extreme heat event are two or more consecutive days in which daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 29°C or warmer and nighttime minimum temperatures are not expected to fall below 16°C.

Tier Two extreme weather response will occur when the Province or Island Health has declared a regional health emergency that includes the City of Nanaimo and temperatures are expected to substantively increase day over day for three or more consecutive days. A tier two extreme event will only be triggered where there is significant acute risk to the health and safety of the public.

Extreme heat is dangerous for the health and wellbeing of our communities and is responsible for the highest number of weather-related deaths annually.

Who Is At Risk

Certain groups are at greater risk of health impacts during extreme heat. People in these groups may be particularly vulnerable if they live alone or lack access to air conditioning or other ways to stay cool. Please check on your friends, family and neighbours.

Low income renters
Older adults living alone or in isolation
People living with a disability
People with a chronic medical condition
People living alone
People who use substances

Know the Signs & Symptoms

A person may be suffering from heat exhaustion if any of the following symptoms are present:

Heat Exhaustion

Skin rash
Muscle cramps
Dizziness or fainting
Nausea or vomiting
Heavy sweating
Rapid breathing or heart rate
Extreme thirst
Dark urine and decreased urination

*If you experience any of these symptoms during extreme heat, move to a cool place at once and drink water.

A person may be suffering from heat stroke if any of the following symptoms are present:

Heat Stroke

High body temperature
Confusion and lack of coordination
Dizziness/fainting
No sweating but very hot red skin

*Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. While waiting for help, cool the person right away by:

Moving them to a cool place, if you can
Applying cold water to large areas of the skin
Fanning the person as much as possible

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Make a plan for the heat

Is it safe for you to stay at home?
If you are at risk for extreme heat and you live in a building or residence that gets very hot, with sustained internal temperatures of 31 degrees or higher, plan to go elsewhere during an extreme heat event.
If it is not safe for you to stay at home, consider staying with friends or family that have air conditioning or cooler spaces. Alternatively, identify places in your community you can visit to get cool such as:
- Libraries
- Community centres
- Shopping malls
- Movie theatres
- Religious centres
- Parks and other shaded green spaces
In response to Extreme Heat Emergencies, First Nations and local governments in affected areas may open emergency cooling centres or general cooling spaces. Sign up through the City’s Voyent Alert! app to stay up to date on local emergencies.
For up to date information on cooling locations check out EmergencyMapBC.
Check out the map below for locations of spray parks, public spaces to cool off, and water fountains!
Where to Stay Cool In Your Home

You should prepare to stay in the coolest part of your residence and focus on keeping that one location cool.

Start by identifying a room that’s typically coolest and consider how you can modify the layout to support sleeping and day-to-day living for the duration of the heat event.
Identify a Heat Buddy

If you live alone, find an extreme heat buddy to check in on you when it gets hot, and you can also reach out for help. Your buddy should be someone who can take you to cooling centers or help with cooling measures in your residence.

As Temperatures Rise

If an Extreme Heat Emergency alert has been issued, it's time to put your plan into action.

Relocate to a cooler spot if you have planned to do so
Reconfigure the coolest location in your home so you can sleep there at night
Check in with your pre-identified heat buddy. If you don't have one, try to reach out to someone you trust as soon as possible
Put up external window covers to block the sun if you can safely do so
Close your curtains and blinds
Ensure digital thermometers have batteries
Make ice and prepare jugs of cool water
Keep doors and windows closed between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to trap more cool air inside. Open them at 8 p.m. to allow cooler air in, and use fans (including kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans) to move cooler air through the house.
Pay attention to the media, Environment Canada, EmergencyInfoBC and Island Health for more information.

A few modifications to your home and routine can make a big difference during periods of extreme heat. Pick and choose from the list below based on your needs. Even one or two things can help.

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At-home Solutions

No Cost
- Close window(s) and curtains or blinds to shutout the sun and heat. If you are in a poorly insulated housing, closing windows could make it hotter. If you need to open a window, try placing a fan blowing outside to allow warm air out of your house instead of drawing hot air in.
- Open window(s) at night to allow cool air inside. Put a fan by the window facing in to blow air into the house when the temperature is cooler outside. Use fans (including kitchen exhaust fans) to circulate cool air. But keep in mind fans alone cannot effectively reduce body temperatures or prevent heat-related illness in people at risk. Do not rely on fans as your primary cooling method during an extreme heat event.
- Set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise and place a bowl/tray of ice in front of a fan. Do not use a fan when the indoor air temperature is over 35 degrees Celsius. Using a fan can be more harmful than helpful when indoor air temperatures are hotter than your body temperature.
- Turn off unused appliances. Cook food in a microwave rather than oven. Dry clothes on a patio or a small drying rack inside.
- Wear cool, loose clothing. Use water-soaked cloths or cooling packs on your neck and wrists. Sit in or put your legs in a cool (not cold) bath. Take a cool shower to draw heat from your body. Plan for modified working, living, and sleeping arrangements.
Low Cost
- Drink water/cool liquids. Drink before you feel thirsty. The sensation of being thirsty is not the only indicator of dehydration but it is one of them. Avoid or limit alcohol and caffeine as they can lead to dehydration.
- Have cold meals and drinks. Avoid using the oven, and avoid heavy meals and protein that takes more energy to breakdown.
- Fill a small plastic spray bottle with cold water to create your own mister. Fill a bucket/basin with cold water and dip your feet in to help cool your body temperature.
- Install thermometers in your home to help monitor temperatures.
Medium Cost
- Open a window on one side of the room and place a box fan in it, facing out. On the room’s opposite end, open a window and install the second fan in it, facing in. One fan actively pulls in fresh air while the other fan draws out the stale, warm air already in the room.
- Sun-blocking curtains, blinds, awnings, and light-coloured furniture/walls reduce the sun’s effect on interior temperatures and the amount of energy required to cool a room. They also help lower monthly electricity bills.

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Keeping Pets Safe

Pets are part of the family too.

Make sure they have plenty of water and are with you in cool locations. When outside, stay in shady areas and avoid asphalt and pavement as surfaces can burn paws.
Pavement

If you regularly jog or bike with your dog, be conscious of when you're doing it. The pavement can get very hot for your pet's feet on a hot day.
Exercising

Choose to exercise with your dog earlier in the morning or later in the evening when it's cooler, reducing the chances of your pet getting heatstroke.
Outdoor excursions

When hiking, camping, or going to the beach, ensure you bring along a water bowl and water for your pet and an umbrella for shade. Use a towel to dry off your pet and give them a place to lie down that's not scorching hot.
Cool Down

Freeze favourite food or treats, such as Kongs or ice cubes with chicken broth, or try freezing a variety of toys and treats inside one big ice cube. Invest in a kiddie pool for your pup and fill it with cool water for your furry friend to enjoy and play in.
Is your pet ok?

Ensure your pet is having a good time outside in the heat and can get out of the sun in a nice shaded area.
Pets in cars

If you go out in the car, leave your pet at home rather than in a hot vehicle, where it can take as little as 10 minutes for a pet to suffer irreparable brain damage or even death.

Dogs staying cool by drinking water, resting in a kiddie pool, walking in the evening, and under the shade of a sun umbrella

Additional Resources

Guides:

Last updated: June 28, 2024

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