The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit is letting area residents know that Environment Canada has issued a heat warning.
Officials say the forecast calls for hot, humid weather through Sept. 6 and the health unit says it is being proactive by alerting the public to prevent and reduce heat-related illnesses.
A heat warning is issued when the daytime temperature is expected to be 31°C or higher, with a minimum overnight low of 20°C or higher, for two consecutive days. It can also be issued when the humidex is forecast to be 40 or higher for two straight days.
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.
Officials say to help reduce your risk of heat-related illnesses during an extreme heat warning, ensure you drink lots of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty, and try to spend time in an air-conditioned home or public building, such as a shopping mall, library, or community centre.