Summer in the Okanagan is a great time to explore our lakes, trails and fantastic local attractions. As temperatures rise, it's crucial to stay mindful of the heat.
The City of Vernon is encouraging all residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for the impacts of hot weather event and take precautions to care for yourselves and each other.
Interior Health and the BCCDC recommend watching yourself and others for signs of heat-related illness and to take specific steps to stay cool and hydrated, including:
Tips to beat the heat
- Drink water regularly, before you start to feel thirsty
- Wear loose protective clothing and a hat, sunscreen and UV-protective eyewear
- Plan your outdoor activity before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m., to avoid the most intense sun, and take it slow with plenty of rest breaks
- Never leave people or pets alone in a parked car. Temperatures can rise rapidly and become much hotter than the outside temperature.
- Cover windows during the day and open them in the evening if you can get a breeze through your home
- Use air conditioning (if available) to take the edge off the heat, but be careful not to over-cool your space
- If you don’t have air conditioning, seek shelter in the coolest room of your home and use a fan
- Regularly check on relatives, friends and neighbours to see how they’re doing; particularly older adults, infants and children, those doing a lot of physical activity or working outside, and those with underlying health conditions
- Take a break from the heat by spending a few hours in a cool place. It could be a tree-shaded area, swimming facility or an air-conditioned spot such as a public building, shopping mall, grocery store, place of worship or public library.
Where to go to beat the heat
Members of the public are welcome to visit Kal Tire Place during its normal hours and walk the concourse or rest for a while in one of the seats to escape the heat. For a complete daily walking schedule, please visit gvrec.ca.
Or, visit the Greater Vernon Recreation and Aquatic Centre, Lakeview Wading Pool or Lavington Outdoor Pool. For pool schedules and hours of operation, visit gvrec.ca/park-recreation.
Public access to drinking water and washrooms
Throughout the City of Vernon there are several locations where you can find public access to drinking water. For more information and details about where to find public access to drinking water. For more information on heat preparedness, visit Vernon.ca/heatpreparedness.
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