Overview
- National guidance stresses starting external cooling at once with a shower, hose or wet cloths while seeking medical care, noting that rapid cooling can save lives.
- Provincial advisories call for avoiding sun exposure between 10:00 and 16:00, increasing water intake even without thirst, using light clothing and sunscreen, and safeguarding the food cold chain.
- Officials differentiate heat exhaustion from heat stroke, urging early recognition of dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion and very high body temperature, and advising against giving fluids to an unconscious person.
- Babies, young children, older adults and people with chronic conditions require frequent hydration, cooler environments and close monitoring, including at night when high minimums hinder recovery.
- Clinicians warn that some medications, such as diuretics in hypertensive or cardiac patients, may heighten risks in extreme heat and should be reviewed only with medical supervision.