Heat Warning issued for the week of June 17; stay cool and stay safe

Kawartha Lakes – Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Kawartha Lakes as a prolonged heat event is set to begin today, Monday June 17, 2024. Dangerously hot and humid temperatures are expected to last through most of the week.

Heat and extreme heat warnings are issued by Environment Canada, when the following criteria are met:

Heat Warning: when the daytime temperature is expected to be 31°C or higher, with a minimum overnight low of 20°C or higher, for two (2) consecutive days. A heat warning can also be issued when the humidex is forecast to be 40 or higher for two (2) consecutive days. Extending Heat Warning: when the same conditions apply above, but the heat event is expected to last for three or more days in a row.

Protect yourself from potential heat related illnesses

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. Symptoms of heat stroke include:

tiredness and weakness dizziness and/or fainting rash nausea or vomiting rapid breathing and headache extreme thirst decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine

To help reduce your risk of heat-related illnesses during a heat or 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.

Know where to go locally to help beat the heat

For those who may not have air conditioning and are looking for a place to cool off, the municipality offers the following to help you beat the heat:

Public Swimming at the Lindsay Recreation Complex and the Forbert Pool (Bobcaygeon) Splash pads are located at Tommy Anderson Park (Bobcaygeon), Elgin Park (Lindsay), Logie Park (Lindsay), and Garnet Graham Park (Fenelon Falls). As of Tuesday June 18 at 10am, splash pads will be open seven days a week from 10am to 8pm. The Boys and Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes has a splash pad at 107 Lindsay Street South, Lindsay that is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays from 10am to 5pm in the summer, typically starting in mid to late June.   Public Skating at the Lindsay Recreation Complex. All Public Library branches have air conditioning and residents are welcome to pop in for a cool down visit while taking advantage of all the great summer programming our library branches have to offer the community. A list of all public beaches is available on the Kawartha Lakes website. Don’t forget to check the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s local beaches page to ensure the beach is safe for swimming prior to jumping in!

Cooling centre

The following cooling centre is open, should you need a break from the heat:

Lindsay Recreation Centre (LRC)

Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm

Access to washrooms, water, seating and air conditioning will be available at the LRC.

Can’t make it to the LRC? All Public Library branches have air conditioning and residents are welcome to drop in any time during open hours to cool down and enjoy everything our libraries have to offer.

The municipality is committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors stay safe from the effects of extreme heat. Visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/extremeheat for tips on how to stay cool and safe this summer.

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