Health officials in London-Middlesex have issued a one-day heat alert for the region as the weekend forecast is expected to be a scorcher.
The Middlesex London Health Unit issued the advisory late Friday afternoon, stating that the summer heat the area has felt most of the week will go up a notch on Saturday.
"While the entire weekend is expected to be hot, the heat alert will only be in effect for one day, as Sunday’s forecasted high of 30 C does not meet the level required to issue the notification," a statement from the health unit read.
According to Environment Canada, Saturday's daytime high is expected to reach 31 C, with humidex values reaching around 37 C. Overnight temperatures will drop slightly but will hover around 18 C.
"While the continuation of summer and its hot weather can be enjoyable, particularly for families before the return of school, we still need to be cautious of heat-related illnesses and take steps to prevent them," said David Pavletic, the health unit's manager of environmental health. "Drink plenty of water if you plan on spending any time outdoors, and if you’ll be outside for any length of time, take breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned space to get relief from the heat."
The MLHU is recommending that you beat the heat by staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water or natural juices throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. If possible, avoid spending excessive time outdoors, or plan outdoor activities in the early morning or evening. Keep your blinds or curtains drawn in rooms on the sunnier side of your home, wear loose-fitting, light clothing and use a fan to draw cool air into your home at night if you don’t have air conditioning.
Symptoms of a heat-related illness may include headache, dizziness, confusion or other altered mental state and fainting. An individual’s skin may be hot and dry, or the person may be sweating due to high body temperature. If you believe you are suffering from heatstroke, call 911 immediately.
The heat alert will expire Sunday, though temperatures are forecasted to remain in and around 30 C heading into early next week.
