Tips to keep safe during extreme heat periods

There’s no question that climate change is a hot-button issue, and in Canada, periods of extreme heat are becoming more frequent and more intense. They’re characterized by high temperatures and high humidity, and these heat events often cause death—particularly among vulnerable groups like the elderly. The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, an applied research Centre at the University of Waterloo, is working to develop guidelines and limit the impact of climate change and extreme weather. Take a few moments to learn how to protect yourself and others when the next heat wave strikes.
Tips to keep safe during extreme heat periods

Tips to keep yourself—and others—safe

There’s a variety of heat protection steps you can take—and some don’t cost anything at all!

  • Check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make sure they’re okay
  • Sign up for heat alerts on your phone (e.g. WeatherCan) and plan for ways to keep cool in advance, such as getting air conditioning and fans, or finding public places to get cool, like malls or cooling centres
  • Opt for energy-efficient lights—and, if possible, appliances—that generate less waste heat
  • Work and/or sleep in cooler rooms or go to a cooling centre during the day to get a break from the heat
  • Use natural ventilation, for example, open windows at night when the air outside is cooler than the air inside

Budget-friendly upgrades

There are some simple, relatively inexpensive upgrades to further your heat protection that are perfect for do-it-yourselfers.

  • Plant trees and vegetation, especially along south-, east- and west-facing walls, to provide shade and help cool the environment—but before doing so, get local advice on appropriate native species that will tolerate future climate conditions, and in places at risk of wildfire, check out these FireSmart™ guidelines
  • Make decks and balconies greener with potted/hanging plants or even ones that climb up the walls
  • Get an indoor tree, like a weeping fig, to keep the air inside moist and cool, and position it near a source of light
  • Use draft strips to improve insulation and air tightness
  • Cover your windows with blinds, heat-resistant curtains or films, which can greatly reduce the heat coming in and block UV rays
  • Increase air circulation by using ceiling fans or portable fans
Tips to keep safe during extreme heat periods extra

Professional upgrades

You’ve done all you can on your own, but to go the extra mile, you might need to call in a professional. Maximize your heat protection with these worthwhile upgrades:

  • Install temperature and humidity monitors or controls
  • Convert paved areas to vegetation, which absorbs less heat
  • Install a green or reflective roof
  • Use awnings and shutters to shade windows
  • Let less heat in with doors and windows that have low solar heat gain coefficients; the lower the SHGC, the more effective the products are at blocking heat gain from the sun in the summer
  • Install and maintain a heat pump or air conditioning unit

Any measures, whether big or small, will help you stay safe and cool as a cucumber during the next heat wave.

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SOURCES

The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation