Most of Southern Ontario has been issued a heat warning so it is extremely important to take safety precautions during this time.
Being that it is the beginning of summer in Ontario, we expect there will be more ‘extreme heat’ conditions and warnings to come, and we want to make sure you are safe and prepared to beat the heat this summer season.
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to stay safe and most importantly, comfortable this summer:
Preventative Measures
- Drink lots of cool water even before you feel thirsty
- Spend time in an air-conditioned environment. If you don’t have AC at home, you can go to locations such as a shopping mall, library or community centre to stay cool
- Wear loose, light coloured, breathable clothing and when outdoors wear a wide-brimmed hat
- Avoid the sun and stay in the shade or use an umbrella
- Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day
- Take cool showers or baths or use cool wet towels to cool down
- Never leave a person or pet inside a parked car or in the direct sunlight
- Consult with your doctor or pharmacist on medications that increase your risk to heat
- Call or visit at-risk family, friends or neighbours (especially seniors living alone) to make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids and keeping cool
Staying Cool At Home
- Keep blinds or drapes closed to block out the sun during the day
- Keep your Air Conditioner set to 26 Degree Celsius during a heat warning (it’s better not to put it to the coldest setting, because it can lead to power outages), alternatively you can also adjust fridge temperatures and unused electrical appliances to save on energy usage.
- Contact us if you need to get an AC, or if you need any emergency services such as AC or furnace related repairs during the summer season
- Make meals that don’t use an oven, especially if you don’t have air conditioning
- Unplug electronics and turn off lights when not in use
- Use fans properly:
- Place fans in or next to a window to bring in the cooler air from outside
- Place a bowl of ice in front of fans to cool air
- Do not use fans when the temperature in a room is 34 degrees Celsius or higher
- This is especially a concern for older adults and people taking certain medications since their ability to sweat is decreased.
- A large block of ice can be placed in front of the fan to cool the air.
- Talk to your landlord about providing a cool common area for residents without air conditioning
Be On The Lookout
We encourage you to watch for symptoms of heat related illnesses as well, which include:
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Rapid breathing and heartbeat
- Extreme thirst
If you experience these symptoms move to a cool place and drink water. See your doctor if the symptoms continue. Heat Stroke is a medical emergency- Call 911. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, help the affected person by:
- Moving them to a cooler location, if you can
- Applying cold water to large area of skin or clothing
- Fanning them
Stay Cool. Stay Safe.
***If you are looking to invest into an Air Conditioning Unit or have any inquiries about furnace or air conditioner unit installations, repairs, or emergency services etc. to keep cool this season, please reach out to us at any time at the following:
- Phone: 1-905-275-4500
- Email: Info@applewoodac.com
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The professionals at Applewood have been providing Ontarian’s with the absolute best in air conditioning and heating service for almost five decades. The mission of our family owned and operated service is to help consumers attain maximum home comfort and energy efficiency, while keeping costs to a minimum. Contact our knowledgeable team today to learn more about how we can help you meet your home comfort goals.
