The regional public health department notably issued its recommendations on Monday. Three “golden rules” will be observed during the heat wave on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, notes Dr. Emmanuelle Denault.
“You really need to drink water regularly,” says Dr. Denault straight away.
Citizens are also invited to cool their body temperature and that of their home, whether by “taking more than one bath or shower per day” or by opening windows at night. The use of cold towels or water sprays is also encouraged.
The third of the “golden rules” is adapting activities during periods of extreme heat. “It’s not necessarily the time to do our gardening,” observes Emmanuelle Denault.
Remember that from Tuesday until Thursday, the maximum temperatures felt will exceed 40ºC in Sherbrooke and elsewhere in Estrie. During the last similar episode, in the summer of 2018, 15 deaths probably linked to heat or confirmed were recorded in the region.
This heatwave lasted from June 30 to July 6 and the humidity exceeded 40ºC.
Keep your eyes open
While everyone can experience heat-related complications, the elderly, those living with chronic illnesses and people with low income or whose housing is not suitable are particularly vulnerable, explains Dr. Denault.
Several conditions can occur due to too much exposure to extreme heat, the most serious being heat stroke.
The symptoms to watch out for are detailed in this table provided by the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS:
(CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS)
Measurements
Different municipalities have taken measures to ensure that their citizens do not suffer too much from the heat. In Granby, for example, it will be possible to take advantage of an air-conditioned place or access the municipality’s aquatic facilities to cool off.
- Desjardins Granby Aquatic Center
It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 4 p.m. this weekend. All free swimming periods will be offered free of charge for the period from June 18 to 21, 2024. Exceptionally, the outdoor pool of the Desjardins aquatic center will be open from June 17 to 21 for free swimming between 4 p.m. and 7:55 p.m. Reopening of the outdoor pool is planned for June 25, 2024, it will therefore be closed from June 22 to 24, 2024.
The opening of the Horner swimming pool has been brought forward to June 18. It will therefore be accessible from this Tuesday, June 18 from noon until 5:25 p.m. It will be closed on the occasion of Quebec’s national holiday.
Eight city parks have water features. They are operational every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
| Berube Park | 570, rue Lebrun |
| Daniel Johnson Park | 230 Drummond Street |
| Maple Grove Park | 330, rue du Séminaire |
| Debussy Park | 399, rue Debussy |
| Fortin Park | 65, rue Cyr, near rue Gouin |
| Jean-Yves-Phaneuf Park | 515, rue Fournier, at the intersection of rue Maisonneuve |
| Poitevin Park | 435, rue Reynolds, at the intersection of rue Calixa-Lavallée |
| Racine Park | 56, boul. Pie-IX, at the intersection of rue Duvernay |
Furthermore, Granby invites citizens who are looking for air conditioning to go to the Paul-O.-Trépanier library. The reception hours for this Tuesday and Wednesday will be brought forward to 10 a.m. to accommodate interested people earlier. The usual schedule for Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be maintained.
Going to public places like shopping centers can also be an option, notes Dr. Emmanuelle Denault.
