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Heat Wave Check-ins

Heat Wave Check-ins
Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

Are you concerned about the health of your neighbours during hot summer months? This is a program to help you set up neighbourly heat wave check-ins in your building. While we can help you reach out to your neighbours and get started, the NWTU cannot do heat wave check-ins for you.

Sign Up Sheet with Resources:

This booklet can be printed out and posted in your lobby. It contains a sign up sheet, and information on how to do heat wave check-ins.

Printable Sign up sheet and Resources
This booklet has the sign up sheet and resources on how to do a heat check-in.
Heat Checkin Booklet.pdf
1 MB
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Sign Up Sheet Only:

Printable Heat Check-in Sign up sheet
This file is the sign up sheet only. You can print this out and post it in your lobby.
Heat Checkin Sheet.pdf
112 KB
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Heat Check in Resources:

Heat Facts

(modified from Vancouver Coastal Health, 2022)

Preventing Heat Stroke

  • Spend time in cooler indoor and outdoor spaces (i.e. community center, library or mall with air conditioning).
  • Cool off with a shower, bath or soaking part of your body in water.
  • Wear a wet shirt or damp towels to cool down.
  • Wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing.
  • Limit activity, especially during the hottest hours of the day (generally 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in B.C.).
  • Watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. For heat-vulnerable people, the risk for heat-related illness may increase at indoor temperatures over 26°C (78 °F) and may be very high at indoor temperatures over 31°C (88 °F).
  • Fans may not effectively reduce body temperatures or prevent heat-related illness in people at risk. Do not rely on fans as the primary cooling method. At night, when the outdoor temperature is cooler than indoor temperatures, consider using fans to bring cool air inside from windows. Kitchen and bathroom fans vent outside of living spaces and can be used to move hot air outside.
  • Staying hydrated is really important, encourage people to drink water even if they are not thirsty, unless a doctor or medical expert has told them to limit how much water they drink. Dark urine or not using the washroom frequently can be signs of dehydration.
  • During the day, close windows and shades/blinds to trap cooler air inside and block the sun.
  • At night, open windows and doors when it is cooler outside (usually 9-10 p.m. in B.C.). Some bathroom and kitchen fans vent outside and can be used to remove warmer indoor air. Use portable fans to bring cool air into the home overnight.
  • Consider getting an air conditioner for your home. If you have air conditioning, be sure to turn it on.
  • Monitor indoor temperatures for yourself and those you are checking on. For heat-vulnerable people, the risk for heat-related illness may increase at indoor temperatures over 26°C (78 °F).

Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

From VCH Extreme Heat Page

  • Some people are more at risk of heat stroke because they cannot control their body temperature as well as others. This includes seniors, people with disabilities, people with medical conditions like diabetes, people on certain medications, people who use substances, people with mental illnesses, and people who are homeless
  • Heat Exhaustion symptoms include: Heavy sweating, skin rash, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing and heartbeat, headache, difficulty concentrating, muscle cramps, extreme thirst, dark urine, and decreased urination
    • If someone has symptoms of heat exhaustion, help them move to a cool place if you can. Give them water, loosen or remove extra clothing, and cool their body with ice packs, wet towels, or damp clothes. Keep cooling them and giving water until they feel better. If the symptoms get worse or don’t improve, seek health care support.
  • Heat Stroke symptoms include: High body temperature (39°C/ 102°F or higher), Fainting or drowsiness, Confusion, Lack of coordination, Very hot and red skin (may be dry)
    • Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Get medical help immediately at an emergency room or urgent care centre. Call 9-1-1 if necessary. While waiting for help, move the person to a cool place if possible. Cool them quickly with ice packs, wet towels, a sponge bath, shower or dampen their clothes. Keep cooling them and stay with them until help arrives.

If you don't know if someone is experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke, you can call 8-1-1 to speak to a nurse. If the person loses consciousness call 911 immediately.

Calling 911

  • Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Seek medical attention immediately at an emergency room or urgent care centre. Call 911 if necessary. Be detailed and accurate when describing what is happening. If 911 doesn't know how serious it is, they don't know how fast to send help, or what help to send.
  • If symptoms worsen, call back to update 911. If you are doing an in-person check-in, try to call from a cell phone so 911 can provide instructions while you are with the person and you can also move around if necessary. Ask 911 what the expected response time is and whether other transportation should be considered.
  • When calling 911, they will need:
    • City, address, and cross street
    • Unit number and how to get into the building
    • Either your callback number if you can stay with the person, or the person's callback number
    • Specific description of what happened / the person's symptoms