Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for Northern Saskatchewan. (File Photo/Kittisak Jirasittichai | Dreamstime.com)

By Ronald Quaroni

Dog Days

Extreme heat-risk high as P.A. approaches potential hottest day of the year

Jul 22, 2019 | 11:41 AM

Heat Warning

Following cool-wet weather, Mother Nature is cranking up the heat.

A heat warning exists across the Northern half of Saskatchewan, including the P.A. National Park, Candle Lake Provincial Park and community of La Ronge.

“We issue a heat warning when two or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 29 Celsius or warmer and the nighttime minimums don’t fall below 14 C,” Natalie Hasell, warning and preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada said.

Hasell explained Prince Albert is not currently under a heat warning but could be approaching the highest temperatures of the year so far.

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Tuesday’s daytime high is a projected 30 C, coming very close to hottest day of the year. So far the highest mercury reading came on May 29, with a high of 30.6 C.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Like bees to honey, the soaring temperatures may draw people out to enjoy the sun’s rays, but precautions need to be taken to avoid falling ill.

“It is going to be hot. We need to do some simple, basic things: wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and drink plenty of water, that will take care of a lot of the common problems you’ll run into,” director of public affairs with Parkland Ambulance, Lyle Karasiuk told paNOW.

He explained heat exhaustion is a problem that can arise when a person is exposed to too much sun and the body starts to overheat.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: cramping, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache and excessive sweating.

“Find your way indoors, have a cool shower or a cool bath, drink something that is cool, just get out of the sun, get your body back to its normal temperature,” Karasiuk on how to treat heat exhaustion.

He warned if heat exhaustion goes untreated or ignored it can become heat stroke. Heat stroke symptoms include, no perspiration or sweating, increase in skin temperature and/or a loss consciousness and is a result of the body running out moisture and losing the ability to cool itself.

“Those are the serious heat emergencies where we need to get some into health care, call 911, get our paramedics there and get help as soon as possible,” Karasiuk said.

Car Safety

During these summer scorchers it’s imperative to look out for the health and safety of children and pets.

“Please don’t, whatever you do, leave pets or small children in the back of the car,” Karasiuk asked. “Your car can heat up like an oven in less than five minutes to dangerous temperatures.”

He noted the best course of action if you see an animal or a child in a hot vehicle is to call 911 and let emergency personnel deal with the situation.

Both Environment Canada and Parkland Ambulance urged residents to be good neighbours and to check on the elderly, or people with mobility issues who may be having a tough time cooling off during the warmer days of summer.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni