VANCOUVER, B.C. — It’s time to get out the water bottles and sunscreen. A provincewide heat wave broke records in regions of British Columbia this weekend and Environment Canada is urging people to stay safe.
According to the agency, temperatures in this region are 10 to 11 C above normal and averaging 30 C across the province. Records were broken by about 1.3 C on average in Lytton, Pemberton, Lillooet and Kamloops. The average high temperature in each community was about 40.5 C.
It’s important to remember to wear sunscreen, drink lots of water and never leave children or animals in the car, they say.
WATCH: Heat records smashed across BC
Metro Vancouver has issued an Air Quality Advisory and urges people not to exercise during the heat of the day in the afternoon.
The Lower Mainland Medical Health Officers for Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health are warning people about heart-related illness. “Children, seniors and people with chronic health conditions are more vulnerable,” they say. Symptoms include: thirst, dizziness, confusion, weakness, fainting and collapsing.
They’re telling people to check-in regularly on the elderly and others at risk and stay cool by staying indoors in air-conditioning, using pools and dressing for the weather in light-weight clothing, hats and sunglasses.
The City of Vancouver has set up temporary drinking water fountains in locations that benefit the elderly, young and homeless, according to officials.
With the hot weather, comes an increased risk of forest fires and authorities are asking people to be extra careful.
–With files from The Canadian Press
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