Heat Can Be Extremely Dangerous

For seniors, heat can be extremely dangerous. Those seniors who are chronically ill or take certain medications that interfere with their body’s natural cooling mechanisms may be particularly at risk. Heat stroke can occur indoors or outdoors and is a medical emergency. If you are a senior or are visiting an elderly friend or relative regularly, watch for signs of heat stroke such as a high body temperature, confusion, no perspiration or unconsciousness. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Health Canada has developed heat health resources and additional heat health information that can be found at the website:www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/sun.

The Alberta government is developing a Heat Alert Response System (HARS) to alert Albertans when dangerously hot weather is forecasted in their community. The pilot test of the system occurs this summer – 2014 with the plan to launch publicly in summer 2015.

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