WANT TO BE COOL LIKE ME?
Below are a few tips to help you stay cool and avoid overheating.
hot tips for staying cool
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water
Drink plenty of water during the hot days of summer.
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shade
Staying out of the sun helps you stay cool.
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at home
Some ideas for keeping you cool at home.
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sunscreen
Protect your skin when exposed to the sun.
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cool down
Cool places
to cool down.
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Heat-Related Illness
Heat stroke
can be deadly.
Take it seriously!
water
Water is vital to staying cool in the summer. In hot weather, drink water before you feel thirsty. Do not drink so much that you feel uncomfortable, but make sure you drink enough to prevent dehydration.
- The body cools itself by sweating. If you lack water, you can’t sweat, and you can’t cool down.
- All that sweating uses a lot of water. Drink lots to prevent dehydration.
- The City of Toronto purifies over 400 billion litres of water every year. Drink some!
- When you spend time outside during the summer, take a refillable bottle or two, so that you’ll never be without.
- As we age, we may not feel as thirsty, so if you’re older, drink before you think you need to.
Shade
It feels a lot hotter in the sun than it is in the shade! Protect yourself accordingly to avoid heat-related illness.
- Wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing and wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
- Avoid the sun and stay in the shade, or use an umbrella.
- Reschedule or plan outdoor exercise (e.g. run, walk, bike) during the cooler parts of the day.
- Never leave a person or pet inside a parked car or anywhere under direct sun.
at home
In summer, apartments can get hotter and stay hotter longer than the air outside. Make a plan to keep your home cool.
- Keep blinds or drapes closed to block out the sun during the day.
- Make meals that don’t involve the use of an oven, especially if you don’t have air conditioning.
- Unplug electronics and turn off lights when not in use.
- Use fans properly:
- Place fans next to a window to bring in the cooler air from outside;
- Do not use fans when the temperature in a room is 34°C or higher as it creates a “convection oven” type of effect. This is especially a concern for older adults and people taking certain medications since their ability to sweat is decreased.
- Talk to your landlord about providing a cool common area for residents without air conditioning.
- Check for the nearest cool space:
- By visiting the Heat Relief Network map
- Landlords must post the location of the nearest cool location (name, address and map to location of a publicly accessible air-conditioned location);
- Call 311 for information about cool spaces that are open to the public.
sunscreen
Whether you’re working, playing, or sunbathing, use sunscreen to protect your skin if you spend any time in the sun.
- Sunscreen helps keep you cool by preventing sunburns which can make your skin feel uncomfortably hot for hours or days.
- Use a sunscreen labelled SPF 30 or higher, “broad spectrum” (UVA and UVB protection).
- No sunscreen provides 100% protection. No matter how much sunscreen you wear, limit exposure to the sun.
- If you have children in your care, be sure to protect their skin.
- Sunburns cause skin damage which is cumulative over your lifetime and is known to cause skin cancer, as well as early aging of the skin.
Cool Down
Here are some alternatives to staying at home when it’s unbearably hot during the day.
- Public outdoor swimming pools can be enjoyable places to cool down, and during heat waves, the City often keeps them open late. For up-to-date information on extended pool hours, pool locations and regular operating hours, call 311 or visit toronto.ca/swim.
- During heat warnings the City of Toronto runs Emergency Cooling Centres which have bottled water, and staff who can recognize the signs of heat-related illness.
- Visit, call, text or video chat with family, friends and neighbours (especially older adults living alone) to make sure they’re staying hydrated and keeping cool.
- Where available, consider accessing your apartment building’s cooling room or your home’s basement to beat the heat.
Heat-Related Illness
The health risks of extreme heat and sun exposure are real and potentially deadly.
- Call 911 immediately if you are caring for someone who has a high body temperature and is either unconscious, confused or has stopped sweating. Heat-related illness can develop into a serious medical emergency!
- Pay attention to weather conditions and indoor environment. High humidity and lack of air circulation make it difficult for sweat to evaporate. This in turn makes it hard for your body to regulate heat.
- Pay attention to these symptoms of heat-related illness:
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches
- Rapid breathing and heartbeat
- Decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine
- Changes of behaviour in children (like sleepiness or temper tantrums)
- If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.
- Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 if you have or someone you are with has a high body temperature, along with one or a combination of the following: confused, unconscious, or has stopped sweating. While you are waiting for help, cool the person right away by moving them to a cool or shady place, and/or applying cold water to large areas of the skin or clothing.
- Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. About one third of all new cases of cancer in Canada are skin cancers, and the rate continues to rise. Skin plays a vital role in keeping you healthy. Protect your skin!
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POINTS TO REMEMBER DURING HOT AND HUMID WEATHER IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
COVID-19 continues to circulate in Toronto. Everyone has a role to play to reduce the spread. The actions you take will protect you, loved ones and those most vulnerable in our community.
As we learn to live with COVID-19, we can layer our protection with some simple steps:
• Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, for the best protection against getting very sick from COVID-19.
• Socialize outdoors when possible.
• Wear a high quality, well-fitting mask, especially indoors, and based on the setting and situation. Masks are strongly recommended in indoor public settings, and especially if you are around people who are at higher risk or have a health condition.
• Stay home if you are sick or have symptoms, even if they are mild.
• If you have symptoms, get tested and treatment if you are eligible.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Choose well ventilated spaces when possible.
• Reduce or limit the number of people you have close contact with, especially indoors.
• Keep a physical distance when possible, especially indoors.
© City of Toronto 2022