With warm temperatures forecast in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys over the next several days, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is reminding residents and visitors to stay safe by drinking plenty of water, staying cool, and following the recommendations from Health Canada. This includes taking a break from the heat by spending a few hours in a cool place such as a swimming pool or public library, taking cool showers or baths until you feel refreshed, or using a fan to stay cool.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says a ridge of high pressure will strengthen early next week, bringing an extended period of hot and dry weather. While the heat is not expected to be as extreme as June 2021, it still poses a risk of heat-related illness.

Keep People and Pets Safe

• Check on family, friends, and neighbours. Especially vulnerable seniors and anyone who may not be able to escape the heat.

• NEVER leave a family member - person or pet - inside a vehicle for any amount of time. This can be deadly during a heat wave.

• Avoid walking dogs on hot pavement. Place your hand or bare foot on the pavement, if it is too hot for you after five seconds, it is likely too hot for your pet.
  You can learn more by visiting the BC SPCA website at spca.bc.ca.
• Develop a plan and familiarize yourself with community locations where you can cool down.
• For information about how to be prepared during extreme heat, please visit: Be prepared for extreme heat - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

If an Extreme Heat Emergency has been issued, it’s time to put your plan into action:

• Relocate to a cooler location if you have planned to do so.
• Reconfigure the coolest location in your home so you can sleep there at night.
• Check-in with your pre-identified heat buddy. If you don’t have one, reach out.
• Put up external window covers to block the sun if you can safely do so.
• Close your curtains and blinds.
• Make ice and prepare jugs of cool water.
• Keep windows closed between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm. Open windows at 8:00 pm to allow cooler air in, and use fans (including kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans) to move cooler air through your home.

Follow local media, Environment Canada, Emergency Info BC and Interior Health for more information about Heat Warnings and Extreme Heat Emergencies.

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

Contacts:

PreparedBC