What to do to stay safe: 

• Drink plenty of fluids (stay hydrated), even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Keep cool. Seek out places with air conditioning, use a fan, use wet towels, take cool showers/baths, dress light, and draw your blinds/keep your curtains closed.
• Stay out of hot cars. Do not leave a child or a pet in a parked vehicle either. 
• Wear sunscreen, large hats, dress in loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing.
• Avoid heavy exercise, renovating or gardening in the sun.
• Check-in on your loved ones – older family, friends, and neighbours who may be at risk of heat-related illnesses. 
• Individuals most at risk for heat-related illness can include individuals with a disability, pregnant women, babies and young children, and seniors.
• Be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Symptoms of heat-related illness:

• Heat Stroke: High body temperature, dizziness, nausea, confusion, hot/red/dry/damp skin, fast/strong pulse, fainting.
• Heat Exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness and/or tiredness, headaches, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting, fast/weak pulse fainting. 
• Heat Cramps: Heavy sweating during exercise, muscle pain or spasms
• Sunburn: Red, warm, painful skin
• Heat Rash: Red clusters of small blisters on the skin

What to do if you or someone you know becomes ill from the heat:

• Call 911 for immediate assistance.
• Try to get out of the sun, go somewhere shaded/sheltered/cool, and drink some water.

Don’t forget about your pets! Ways to prevent heat-related illness.

• Keep your pets out of hot, parked cars
• Keep your pets out of the hot sun, and find shady spots
• Pets can burn their paw pads if walking on hot pavement!
• Keep your furry friends hydrated
• Get your pet ice water; you can even mix the ice water with a flavour such as chicken broth
• Feed your pets fruits (watermelon) and veggies
• Create a backyard pool for your furry friend
• Have a fan ready

• Symptoms of heat-related illness in animals and what to do:
• Symptoms can include: Excessive panting, excessive drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting/diarrhea, weakness, incoordination or stumbling, sudden collapse, seizures.
• RAPS (604-242-1666) Animal Hospital in Richmond is available and ready to help if you have questions or if there is an emergency. 
• InterCity Animal Emergency Clinic (604-321-8080) in Vancouver is open 24/7 for all animal emergencies, InterCity is located ~20 minutes from Central Richmond.