Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the week of June 17,2024. Above average temperatures and high humidity may affect individuals at higher risk, including young children, pregnant women, seniors, persons with chronic medical conditions and anyone working or exercising outdoors.
During heat events, everyone is advised to drink water abundantly, even before feeling thirsty, and to NEVER leave people or pets in a parked vehicle. Take precautions to reduce your risk of heat illness (more advice below), and check on vulnerable persons in your environment.
In Westmount, splash pads are open in the following parks:
- Westmount Park (corner of Rue Sherbrooke and Av. Melville)
- Stayner Park (wheelchair accessible)
- Prince Albert Park (wheelchair accessible).
Consult the latest update from Environment Canada.
Health risks
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
During very hot weather, these groups are at greater risk of developing health problems:
- older persons;
- children under 5 years of age;
- persons with chronic illnesses, including heart and lung disease;
- people with mental health problems or drug or alcohol problems.
The main problems linked to heat are:
- dehydration;
- headaches;
- dizziness;
- confusion;
- fainting.
If these symptoms are present, call INFO-SANTÉ at 8-1-1 or speak to a health professional. If you have fever in addition to these symptoms, you may have heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. In this case, call 9-1-1 for help.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, PHONE 911.
Protect yourself and prevent health problems
When it is very hot, you need to:
- drink a lot of water without waiting to be thirsty;
- cool down by taking a shower or bath in cool water;
- spend some time in a cool and preferably air-conditioned place, where possible *;
- reduce your level of physical exertion, particularly for those working outdoors;
- wear light clothing.
* Shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants and other spaces are usually air-conditioned. Public cooling stations in Westmount:
- Westmount Recreation Center, 4675, rue Ste-Catherine W.; open 8 am to 8 pm daily
- Westmount Public Library, 4574 Sherbrooke St. W.; open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 9 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm
- Victoria Hall, 4626 Sherbrooke St. W.; open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 9 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm
For more advice, consult Santé Montréal’s website page What to do when it’s really hot.
