Stay safe in the summer heat

When it's summer in Vancouver and the days get hotter, it's important to remember that even in temperate, coastal BC, heat can be harmful.

While heat can harm anyone, some are especially vulnerable:

• Seniors, and children younger than five years old
• People with pre-existing illnesses or taking certain medications
• People who are isolated or homeless
• Outdoor workers
• Addicts who may be dehydrated as a side effect of their lifestyle
• Anyone who isn’t acclimatized to our weather
• Children and pets left in a closed car or in direct sun

Check in with your neighbours who live alone and on the homeless person you say hi to on the way to work.

Symptoms of heat-related illness and heat exhaustion

Watch for the following symptoms as signs of heat-related illness and heat exhaustion:

• Extreme thirst
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Fainting
• Rapid breathing and heartbeat
• Nausea and vomitting

If you see someone suffering from too much heat, call 9-1-1 and help them cool off by applying water to their face and neck until emergency services arrive. You can also call 8-1-1 to speak to a nurse.

• More information on heat-related illness from HealthLink BC External web site, opens in new tab

Tips to keep cool

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat; lightweight, long-sleeved clothing; and sunscreen
• Avoid strenuous activity and exercise
• Visit an air-conditioned community centre or any library
• Fill up your water bottle at one of our drinking fountains, including temporary fountains that are set up during heat waves

Keep cool tips PDF file (231 KB)

Air quality

If you're struggling with respiratory issues, you can visit one of our cleaner air rooms at Carnegie Community Centre, the Gathering Place, Evelyne Saller Centre, and Mount Pleasant Community Centre. All of these facilities have high efficiency particulate air filtering rooms which create cleaner air.

Keep cool map PDF file (238 KB)

Water quality

In the event of a beach closures due to water quality issues, we'll post a notice on the beach webpage and on VanConnect. We encourage the public to monitor these pages which link directly to Vancouver Coastal Health’s water quality readings External web site, opens in new tab.