Preparing for Extreme Heat
Being prepared for extreme heat events means you have a plan and the supplies to stay cool, hydrated and informed.
- Keep plenty of food, cool drinks and your medication on hand so you can limit going out during extreme heat events.
- Make ice and prepare jugs of cool water in your fridge.
- Top up your vehicle fuel tank in case you need to drive to a cooler place.
- Install curtains, blinds or awnings in windows to deflect the heat. Keep them closed during the day. You can also cover windows with cardboard.
- If feasible, purchase items like fans and spray bottles to have on hand. Consider installing a window air conditioner in at least one room.
- If you do not have an air conditioner, prepare a list of the nearest air-conditioned spaces or cooling centres that accommodate your needs, such as shopping malls, libraries, community centres, places of worship, etc.
During Extreme Heat
During a heat wave, the indoor temperature of homes without indoor cooling will continue to get hotter with each passing day. Have a plan:
- Identify areas in your home that stay the coolest, what you can do to keep them cool, and how you can set it up for sleeping.
- Prepare meals that don’t need to be heated as using appliances will increase the indoor temperatures.
- If your home is too warm, consider leaving to stay with friends, family, or look for public spaces with indoor cooling.
- Take cool showers or baths, or use a misting bottle.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully and take regular breaks.
Get Life-Saving Alerts
Sturgeon County uses Alberta Emergency Alerts. This is Alberta’s emergency alerting system and broadcasts information over text message, television, radio and road signs. No sign-up is needed, but you are encouraged to download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play store, or text FollowAB_EmergAlert to 21212 to sign up for text notifications.
Did you know the Sturgeon region is one of the 10 hottest regions in Alberta?
Extreme heat can cause serious health impacts, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and possibly death. Extreme heat affects everyone, but the following groups are at higher risk:
- infants and young children
- older adults (60+)
- people who are pregnant
- people with reduced mobility
- outdoor workers
- people who live alone or are socially isolated
- people with pre-existing medical and mental health conditions
- people who live in high-density housing with no indoor cooling
- people experiencing homelessness, or who are marginally housed