Residents asked to take precautions during heat wave

With an Environment Canada heat warning currently in effect for Saint John, the Saint John Emergency Management Organization (SJ-EMO) is asking residents to take precautions.

The warning states extreme hot and humid weather conditions are expected today through Thursday. Hot and humid conditions could possibly continue into Friday.

Residents are advised to stay hydrated and take precautions against high temperatures over the next few days. Some actions you can take include:

• Drink plenty of water regularly, even before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.

• Check on older family, friends and neighbours. Make sure they are cool and drinking water.

• Never leave people, particularly children, or pets inside a parked vehicle.

• Watch for early signs of heat illness (feeling unwell, fatigue, thirst, headache) as these can rapidly evolve into life-threatening emergencies. Move to a cooler environment immediately, such as a shaded or air-conditioned space.

• Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 911 if you or someone you are caring for has a high body temperature and is either confused, has stopped sweating or becomes unconscious. While waiting for help, cool the person right away: move them to a cool place, apply cold water to large areas of the skin and fan the person as much as possible.

For updated weather info visit: https://weather.gc.ca/?province=nb

For more tips to beat the heat, or information about New Brunswick’s heat alert levels, visit www.gnb.ca/HARS #HeatAlert