Stay safe in the summer heat

Where to keep cool

Some community centres and most public library branches have air-conditioned spaces where you can cool down on a hot day.

These facilities become cooling centres when Environment Canada issues a heat warning or Vancouver Coastal Health issues an extreme heat alert.

 Cooling centres at community centres

 Vancouver Public Library cooling centres

Other places to keep cool

• Swimming pools
• Spray parks and wading pools
• Water fountains and misting stations
• View a map of where to go to keep cool PDF file (399 KB)

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  Care for pets during heat

  Animals with fur coats are particularly susceptible to the heat. Leave them at home in a shaded area, or take them to an off-leash dog park with access to water (hours vary):

  • Sunset Beach Park
  • Hadden Park
  • Spanish Banks Beach Park
  • John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park
  • New Brighton Park

  The temperature in a parked car can heat rapidly, so it's extremely dangerous to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle. If you see an animal in distress please report it to the BC SPCAExternal website, opens in new tab immediately.
   

What we do to help you

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  Heat response plan

  We activate our heat response plan and provide additional services when:

  • Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a heat warning External website, opens in new tab
  • Vancouver Coastal Health External website, opens in new tab issues an extreme heat alert 

  These alerts are regional, based on daytime and nighttime temperatures and issued to raise public awareness about the health and safety risks of extreme heat.

  Our level 1 and level 2 heat response include additional measures on top of regular services available to residents during hot weather. Learn more about our different levels of heat response

  Type of warning	Heat response level
  Heat warning (issued by Environment Canada)	Level 1 heat response Activate cooling centres  Monitor outdoor spaces for people suffering from heat-related illness Implement a support plan for tenants in our non-market housing (including wellness checks, bottled water and fans) Provide heat safety information to community partners and SROs
  Extreme heat alert (issued by Vancouver Coastal Health)	Level 2 heat response All Level 1 measures Extension of hours at some cooling centres Heavy water misters in public spaces  “Pop up” spray locations in 15 parks using irrigation systems

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  Who is vulnerable to heat

  While heat can harm anyone, some are especially vulnerable:

  • Older adults and children younger than five years old
  • People with pre-existing illnesses or taking certain medications
  • People who are isolated or experiencing homelessness
  • Outdoor workers
  • People with addictions who may be more likely to be dehydrated as a side effect of substance use
  • Anyone who isn’t acclimatized to our weather
  • Anyone left in a hot environment like a closed car, or in direct sun 

Symptoms of heat-related illness

Symptoms of heat illness can range from mild to severe and occur when your body is unable to cool itself.

Information on heat-related illness from HealthLink BC (translations available) External web site, opens in new tab

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  Heat exhaustion

  The following symptoms of heat exhaustion are signs to cool down for a few hours and drink plenty of water: 

  • Skin rash
  • Heavy sweating
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Rapid breathing and heartbeat 
  • Headache
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Extreme thirst
  • Dark urine and decreased urination
  • Dizziness or fainting
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  Heat stroke

  Symptoms of heat stroke are severe and require immediate medical care: 

  • High body temperature
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Lack of coordination
  • Very hot and red skin 

  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. Interpretation services are available on these phone numbers.

How to keep cool

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  Tips to keep cool

  • Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
  • Plan ahead for where you can spend time in a cool or air-conditioned place, and seek shade when outside.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and sunscreen.
  • Avoid strenuous activity and exercise.
  • Drink plenty of cool fluids, such as water, before you feel thirsty.
  • Fill up your water bottle at a water fountain.
  • Cool down at a misting station.
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  Download more tips to share or print

  (English | Français | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Tagalog | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 | فارسی | Español)

  English

  • Stay safe in the summer heat poster PDF file (300 KB)
  • Social media images: 
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 519 KB)

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  Français

  • Restez en sécurité dans la chaleur estivale affiche PDF file (310 KB)
  • Astuces pour lutter contre la chaleur:
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 730 KB)

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  繁體中文

  • 在炎夏保持安全- 海報 PDF file (564 KB)
  • 防熱小貼:
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 507 KB)

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  简体中文

  • 在炎夏保持安全- 海报 PDF file (560 KB)
  • 防热小贴士:
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 487 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 503 KB)

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  Tagalog

  • Manatiling ligtas sa Init ng tag-araw PDF file (296 KB)
  • Mga Payo Para Makayanan ang Init:
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 609 KB)

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  ਪੰਜਾਬੀ

  • ਗਰਮੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਮੋਸਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਗਰਮੀ ਤੌਂ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਰਹੋ - ਪੋਸਟਰ PDF file (336 KB)
  • ਗਰਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਹਰਾਉਣ ਦੇ ਸੁਝਾਅ:
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 564 KB)

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  Tiếng Việt

  • Giữ an toàn trong cái nóng mùa hè - Áp phích PDF file (369 KB)
  • Mẹo để xua tan cái nóng:
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 618 KB)

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  한국어

  • 더운 여름철 중 안전 유지 – 포스터 PDF file (335 KB)
  • 더위를 이길 수 있는 팁:
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 557 KB)

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  فارسی

  • در گرمای تابستان سلامت و ایمن بمانید- PDF file (338 KB)
  • نکاتی برای مقابله با گرما: 
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 603 KB)

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  Español

  • Manténgase a salvo en el calor del verano poster PDF file (295 KB)
  • Consejos para combatir el calor:
    • 1 (JPG 113 KB)
    • 2 (JPG 109 KB)
    • 3 (JPG 664 KB)

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  Water quality

  In the event of a beach closures due to water quality issues, we'll post a notice on the beach webpage. 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.