Beat the Heat

It is very important that we look out for each other during this heat wave. Of special concern are our seniors and our citizens who are not able to escape the heat as they may not have air conditioning or suitable shelter.

Please introduce a ‘buddy system’ and check on your family, friends, neighbours, seniors, fellow citizens and their pets to ensure they are not in any danger from this extreme heat.

The Government of British Clumbia, has an online guide that outlines how individuals and families can protect themselves during the heat wave. This includes tips for how to prepare for the heat, how to keep your home cool, and how parents and caregivers can keep children cool. 

The City is reminding residents and visitors that there are publicly accessible water sources available. Bylaw Services officers are also watching out for and carrying water for people in need.

Water Bottle Refill Stations

Several local organizations are working to help people who are experiencing homelessness during this heat wave. They are looking for donations of water, electrolyte drinks, sunscreen, hats and sandals.

Here's a list of local resources.

Visit HealthlinkBC for information about emergency first aid for heatstroke. If you encounter someone in distress, in most cases they can find relief if they get out of the sun, into a cool space and drink plenty of water. If the person is exhibiting the following symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Signs of Heatstroke

Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature and body temperature continues to rise, often to 40°C (104°F) or higher. Signs of rapidly progressing heatstroke include:

• Unconsciousness for longer than a few seconds.
• Convulsion (seizure).
• Signs of moderate to severe difficulty breathing.
• A rectal temperature over 40°C (104°F) after exposure to a hot environment.
• Confusion, severe restlessness, aggressive behaviour or anxiety.
• Fast heart rate.
• Sweating that may be heavy or may have stopped.
• Skin that may be red, pale, hot, and dry, even in the armpits.
• Severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Even with immediate treatment, it can be life-threatening or result in serious, long-term complications. After calling 911 or other emergency medical services, follow these first aid steps.

• Move the person into a cool place, out of direct sunlight.
• Remove the person's unnecessary clothing, and place the person on his or her side to expose as much skin surface to the air as possible.
• Cool the person's entire body by sponging or spraying cold water, and fan the person to help lower the person's body temperature. Watch for signs of rapidly progressing heatstroke, such as seizure, unconsciousness for longer than a few seconds, and moderate to severe difficulty breathing.
• Apply ice packs in each armpit and on the back of the person's neck.
• If a child has stopped breathing, begin rescue breathing.
• Do not give aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce a high body temperature that can occur with heatstroke. These medicines may cause problems because of the body's response to heatstroke.
• If the person is awake and alert enough to swallow, give the person fluids [1 L (32 fl oz) to 2 L (64 fl oz) over 1 to 2 hours] for hydration. You may have to help. Make sure the person is sitting up enough so that he or she does not choke. Most people with heatstroke have an altered level of consciousness and cannot safely be given fluids to drink.

Read the guide here

All civic facilities such as the Community Centre, the Public Library and the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre are good options for people needing temporary relief from the heat during normal business hours .

• South Okanagan Events Centre walking track (835 Eckhart Avenue) will be open Monday to Friday between 10 am to 4 pm (not weekends)
• Penticton Community Centre (325 Power Street) will be open between 6 am to 8 pm (Monday to Friday) and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
• Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre (2965 Main Street) will be open from 9 am to 4 pm (Monday to Friday)
• City Hall (171 Main Street): Open 9 am to 4 pm. (Monday to Friday)

Here's a link to 10 ways to beat the heat in Penticton

Seasonal splash pads can be found at the following locations:

• Rotary Playworld (at Skaha Park, corner of Cypress Street and Elm Avenue)
• Lakawanna Park, located across from Okanagan Beach, at 796 Lakeshore Drive West.

The City is reminding residents and visitors that there are publicly accessible water sources available. 

Water Bottle Refill Stations

Encourage them to stay in shaded areas, put down damp towels or blankets for them to lie on, put the garden sprinkler on, allow access to a wading pool for them in the shade. If you don't have a shaded area you can create one by stringing up a tarp or blanket.

To help keep them hydrated, you can replace a portion of their regular diet with canned food or give them some home made frozen treats!

Lastly, only exercise them in the early mornings or later evening.

Signs of heatstroke in pets include:

• Excessive or heavy panting, excessively drooling, dog appears lethargic, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsy, uncoordinated or collapses.

What you can do to help your dog:

• Remove your dog from the hot environment immediately;
• Apply towels soaked in cool water to their head, neck and chest;
• Pour cool (not cold to avoid shock) water over your dog;
• Allow and encourage your dog to drink small amounts of water;
• Continue to pour cool water over your dog until their breathing starts to settle, but not too much that they start shivering.
• Once your dog is cool, take them to a veterinarian immediately.

For a dog, though, harmful, and even life-threatening effects can occur in a short time in a hot car. Dogs can’t release heat by sweating, as humans do, so their internal body temperature rises more quickly.

The following tips are from the BC SPCA about what you should do if you see a dog in a parked car.

If you see an animal in distress in a parked vehicle, here’s the steps to take:

Note the license plate, vehicle colour, make and model and ask managers of nearby businesses to page the owner to return to their vehicle immediately. If the animal is not showing signs of distress, but you are concerned, you may wish to stay by the vehicle to monitor the situation until the owner returns.

If the animal is showing clear signs of heatstroke or other distress symptoms, call your local animal control agency, police, RCMP or the BC SPCA Call Centre at  1-855-622-7722 as soon as possible. The BC SPCA has a limited number of constables – if one is not available in the area the Call Centre can advise you about other emergency numbers to call so that help will arrive as quickly as possible.

Visit our Dogs in Parks page for a list of dog beaches, where you can take your dog to cool off in the lake.