Several heat warnings have been issued in New Brunswick so far this summer, prompting health officials to remind residents about being safe during the hot, hot heat.
A Level 1 heat alert has been issued for the town of St. Stephen Tuesday. A Level 1 alert is issued when humidex values are expected to make the temperature feel like 35 to 29 C.
The sixth Level 1 heat advisory of the summer was issued for Fredericton Monday, as well as Miramichi and the greater Moncton region.
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The best ways New Brunswickers can combat those high temperatures and humidity is to stay hydrated and stay inside in an air conditioned building, or in the shade while outdoors.
New Brunswick acting deputy chief medical officer of health Dr. Cristin Muecke says it’s important to be aware of the weather and the forecast, as well as being aware of which times of day are the hottest — usually late afternoon.
“Water is a great thing to have around on a hot day. Certainly drinking as much water as possible-offering it to people who are vulnerable or to pets, even when you’re not thirsty,” Muecke said.
“If you’re lucky enough to have an air conditioner, that’s great, you should use it.”
Muecke said it’s also important to check in on vulnerable people, like seniors and people with medical conditions, including mental health conditions, as she says some antidepressant medications can cause people to react badly to heat.
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She says there are a lot of public spaces people can go to cool down around the city, like libraries and museums that offer air conditioning.
“Even if you don’t have air conditioning in your home, there are just simple ways you can decrease the heat in your home. Simple things like closing the blinds so that the sun is not entering your house, not using your oven when it’s a hot day, those thing can definitely make a difference,” Muecke said.
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