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This section of our Web site provides information sent to the media, including media releases, public service announcements, and media advisories. This information covers a wide-range of public health topics, from beach closures and boil water advisories to community clinics and special events.
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Heat Warning issued for KFL&A area amid hot and humid forecast
Release Date: 19-Jun-2012
With hot, humid weather forecast for the next few days in the KFL&A area, KFL&A Public Health is issuing a Heat Health Warning—the first Level 2 Heat Advisory this year for the KFL&A area. The current weather forecast calls for humidex values to reach a peak of 40 between Tuesday and Thursday of this week. The region reach will thresholds established for a Level 2 Heat Health Warning as part of KFL&A Public Health’s Extreme Heat Response Plan. A Heat Health Warning is issued when the weather is forecast to be 36°C or 36 humidex for two consecutive days with an air quality advisory or 40°C or 40 humidex for two consecutive days without an air quality advisory.
“KFL&A Public Health monitors forecasted weather conditions as provided by Environment Canada and Air Quality Ontario,” said Adrienne Hansen-Taugher, manager, emergency preparedness and health hazard with KFL&A Public Health. “We are issuing a Level 2 Heat Health Warning with the forecast of high humidex readings for the KFL&A area.”
While extreme heat can put everyone at risk from heat illnesses, health risks are greatest for older adults, infants and young children, people with chronic illnesses such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions or psychiatric illnesses, people who work or who exercise in the heat, homeless people, and low-income earners. Those who take medication or have a health condition should ask their doctor or pharmacist if it increases their health risk in the heat and follow their recommendations.
“Hot and humid temperatures increase perspiration to maintain constant body temperature. Normally, as a person perspires, his or her body cools,” said Hansen-Taugher. “This process comes with a loss of body fluids, which can lead to dehydration over a long period of intense exposure. In addition, high humidity prevents cooling though perspiration and increases the risk of becoming overheated.”
Public health officials urge everyone to stay alert and take precautions. Remember to visit frequently neighbours, friends, and older family members who are isolated, vulnerable, or chronically ill to make sure that they are cool and hydrated.
KFL&A Public Health recommends taking the following actions to stay cool:
- Drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water, before feeling thirsty.
- Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.
- Take cool showers or baths until you feel refreshed.
- Take a break from the heat by spending a few hours in a cool place.
- Block sun out by closing awnings, curtains or blinds during the day.
- Avoid sun exposure. Shade yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed, breathable hat or using an umbrella.
- Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day. Consider postponing strenuous outdoor recreational and sport activities.
- Never leave people or pets in your care inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight.
KFL&A Public Health has also worked with local municipalities to create a list of cool down areas where residents can seek temporary relief from the hot, humid temperatures. This list is available by map through KFL&A Public Health’s website, www.kflapublichealth.ca, and includes more than 40 locations, both public and private, that offer air conditioned reprieve from hot, humid weather. All locations have a distinctive “Cool Down Here” window decal to help the public identify these spaces.
Places to stay cool:
Public Libraries
For individual branch hours, see the Kingston Frontenac Public Library website www.kfpl.ca or Lennox & Addington County Branch Libraries website www.lennox-addington.on.ca:
- Amherstview—322 Amherst Drive, Amherstview
- Calvin Park—88 Wright Crescent, Kingston
- Cloyne—1011 Little Pond Road, Cloyne
- Central—130 Johnson Street, Kingston
- Isabel Turner—935 Gardiners Road, Kingston
- Kingscourt—115 Kirkpatrick Street, Kingston
- Mountain Grove—1455 Mountain Grove Road
- Napanee—25 River Road, Napanee
- Parham—1021 Long Lake Road, Parham
- Pittsburgh—80 Gore Road, Kingston
- Sharbot Lake—1037 Robert Street, Sharbot Lake
- South Fredericksburgh—2478 Country Road #8
- Sydenham—4418 Wheatly Street, Sydenham
- Tamworth—1 Ottawa Street, Tamworth
- Wolfe Island—10 Hwy. 95, Wolfe Island
Municipal Public Swimming Pools
Price of admission for municipal public swimming pools differs from location to location. Please contact pools directly for specific admission fees.
City of Kingston (stated to open May 19, weather permitting)
- City Park Splash Pad - City Park, 33 Bagot Street, 9 a.m. until dusk
- Memorial Centre Splash Pad - 303 York Street, 9 a.m. until dusk
- Ronald Lavallee Park Splash Pad - Ronald Lavallee Memorial Kiwanis Park, 53 Fourth Avenue, 9 a.m. until dusk.
- Shannon Park Splash Pad - Shannon Park, 199 Wilson Street (entrance and parking on Wilson Street), 9 a.m. until dusk.
- Artillery Park Aquatic Centre - 76 Ordnance Street, 613-546-4291 ext. 1700
- Outdoor Aquatic Centre - 303 York Street (at the Memorial Centre), June 2 to 24 open Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., June 25 - Sept 3 daily 11 a.m - 4 p.m. & 5-8 p.m.. Splash Pad Hours: Monday - Sunday, 9 a.m. – Dusk
Amherstview
- W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre Pool - 322 Amherst Drive, Amherstview, 613-389-3648
Shopping Malls
Hours of operation for shopping malls differ from location to location. Please contact malls directly for specific hours of operation.
- Cataraqui Town Centre—945 Gardiners Road, Kingston
- Frontenac Mall—1300 Bath Road, Kingston
- Napanee Mall—450 Centre Street, Napanee
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