The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is informing residents that Environment Canada has issued a heat warning from Tuesday through Thursday. The unit is hoping to prevent and reduce heat-related illnesses and direct community response and outreach to at-risk and priority populations. Â
Officials say heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can be very dangerous, especially to those most vulnerable to health risks including people who work outdoors, people who are unhoused, elderly and some people with disabilities or chronic diseases, people who are pregnant, and children and infants. Monitor yourself and those around you for signs of heat-related illness and seek medical attention if required. Â
They add symptoms of heat stroke include tiredness and weakness, dizziness and/or fainting, rash, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing and headache, and extreme thirst. The health unit says to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses we should drink lots of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. We should also try to spend time in an air-conditioned home or public building, such as a shopping mall, library, or community centre. People can also contact their local municipality to ask about designated public cooling centres.Â