Hot weather guidelines
Setting specific guidelines for managing hot weather.
Peel Region's Medical Officer of Health issues heat warnings and extended heat warnings upon notification from Environment and Climate Change Canada that heat thresholds have been met.
For general information about how to avoid heat-related illnesses and when we issue heat warnings access, hot weather and heat warnings.
Those at increased risk for heat-related illness include children under five, seniors, outdoor workers, and unhoused individuals, among others. To prevent heat related illness, review the information specific to your business or setting.
General recommendations
- Establish a policy and plan to deal with extreme temperatures.
- Keep children cool and if possible, stay in an air-conditioned place.
- Limit time outdoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when temperatures and UV radiation are most intense. Offer regularly scheduled rest periods.
- When outdoors, stay in the shade whenever possible.
- When in the sun, ensure children wear a wide brimmed hat, UV protective sunglasses, and light and loose-fitting clothing.
- Be sure children are well hydrated. Plain water is the drink of choice.
- Children can also stay hydrated by eating certain foods, like cucumbers, orange slices, and watermelon.
- Check regularly on infants and young children to ensure they stay cool and hydrated.
- Sunscreens/insect repellent are not recommended for infants under six months of age. Keep babies under one year of age out of direct sunlight.
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) 20-30 minutes before going outside to ensure absorption.
- When using DEET insect repellent, apply 20-30 minutes after sunscreen has been applied.
- NEVER leave children in a closed parked vehicle.
- Monitor children with disabilities and check the heat on metal and vinyl parts of mobility devices.
- Check the temperature of metal and plastic playground equipment.
- Staff should role model appropriate heat and sun safety behaviours for children.
- Staff should be aware of signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Follow first aid procedures promptly.
During a heat alert
- Keep children cool.
- Keep children hydrated.
- Monitor children closely.
Follow the general recommendations and:
- Activate your policy or plan for extreme temperatures.
- Suspend all outdoor activity if possible, or limit time spent outdoors. Where possible, keep children in an air-conditioned place.
- Check frequently on children and monitor children with disabilities or who have chronic illnesses such as asthma more closely.
- Keep children well hydrated by giving water and hydrating foods, like cucumbers, orange slices, and watermelon.
- Provide parents with information on how to keep children cool and provide Peel Region's website for additional information.
During an extreme heat alert
Follow heat alert guidelines and consider cancelling outdoor activity and keeping children indoors. If possible, stay in an air-conditioned place or go to the shopping mall, library, recreational facilities or heat-relief shelters.
General recommendations
- Establish a policy and plan to deal with extreme temperatures.
- When outdoors, stay in the shade whenever possible.
- Limit time outdoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures and UV radiation are most intense.
- Monitor daily heat advisories and adjust outdoor activity schedules if possible.
- When in the sun, wear a wide brimmed hat, UV protective sunglasses, and loose-fitting long shirts and pants.
- As much as possible, ensure indoor temperatures are comfortable.
- Ensure children are well hydrated. Plain water is the drink of choice.
- Children can also stay hydrated by eating certain foods, like cucumbers, orange slices, and watermelon.
- Monitor children with disabilities and check the temperature of metal and vinyl parts of mobility devices.
- Check the temperature of metal and plastic playground equipment.
- Staff should be aware of signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Follow first aid procedures promptly.
- Staff should role model appropriate heat and sun safety behaviours.
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), 20-30 minutes before going outside to ensure absorption.
- When using DEET insect repellent, apply 20-30 minutes after sunscreen has been applied.
- NEVER leave children in a closed parked vehicle.
During a heat alert
- Keep cool.
- Stay hydrated.
- Check on children and other colleagues.
Follow the general recommendations and:
- Activate your policy or plan for extreme temperatures.
- Limit strenuous activity outdoors.
- Check regularly on young children and children with disabilities or who have chronic illnesses such as asthma.
During an extreme heat alert
- Keep cool.
- Stay hydrated.
- Check on children and other colleagues.
Follow heat alert guidelines and:
- Cancel outdoor sports events if possible. Participation in strenuous outdoor activities during extreme heat advisories may be dangerous.
- If possible, move outdoor activities indoors to an air-conditioned facility.
General recommendations
- Establish a policy and plan to deal with extreme temperatures.
- When outdoors, stay in the shade whenever possible.
- Limit time outdoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures and UV radiation are most intense.
- Monitor daily heat advisories and adjust outdoor activity schedules if possible.
- When in the sun, wear a wide brimmed hat, UV protective sunglasses, and loose-fitting long shirts and pants.
- Provide a period of time for athletes to get used to the heat before exercising in hot conditions (e.g., extend warm up periods before scheduled sports games or exercise classes).
- Schedule fluid breaks. Plain water is the drink of choice.
- You can also stay hydrated by eating certain foods, like cucumbers, orange slices, and watermelon.
- Make player substitutions more frequently and use personal misting water sprays on the body to keep cool.
- Advise staff and clients to take regularly scheduled indoor breaks to cool off. If possible, schedule shorter work periods for staff who must work outdoors.
- Staff should role model heat and sun safety behaviour.
- Staff should be aware of signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Follow first aid procedures promptly.
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), 20 to 30 minutes before going outside to ensure absorption.
- When using DEET insect repellent, apply 20 to 30 minutes after sunscreen has been applied.
During a heat alert
- Keep cool.
- Stay hydrated.
- Check on participants and other colleagues.
Follow the general recommendations and:
- Activate your policy or plan for extreme temperatures.
- If possible, extend hours for pools and air-conditioned spaces.
- Limit strenuous activity outdoors.
- Increase frequency of fluid breaks. Plain water is the drink of choice.
During an extreme heat alert
Follow heat alert guidelines and:
- Consider cancelling outdoor sports events if possible. Participation in strenuous outdoor activities during extreme heat advisories may be dangerous.
- If possible, move outdoor activities indoors to an air-conditioned facility.
- At a minimum, provide fluids every 15 minutes to participants. Plain water is the drink of choice.
General recommendations
Employers
- Establish a policy and plan to deal with extreme temperatures.
- Identify and post potential sun and heat exposure hazards in the workplace.
- Ensure employees adhere to health and safety guidelines related to extreme temperature and UV protection.
- Monitor daily heat advisories and adjust schedules if possible.
- Whenever possible, reorganize or postpone work routines or hours to limit time outdoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures and UV radiation are most intense.
- Ensure that employees utilize proper sun protective clothing and equipment such as long-sleeved shirts/pants/skirts, wide brimmed hat or appropriate headwear, UV protective sunglasses (safety), and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher).
- Provide a period of time for employees to get used to the heat before working in hot conditions.
- As much as possible, provide shade for outdoor workers.
- As much as possible, maximize ventilation and use heat shielding for indoor environments. Use air blowers and fans with caution. Do not use if they only circulate hot air as this increases the risk of dehydration.
- Provide access to plenty of cool beverages (plain water is the drink of choice).
- Establish a buddy system which allows for close observation of co-workers.
- Employers should role model appropriate heat and sun safe behaviours.
- Be aware of signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Follow first aid procedures promptly.
Workers
- Adhere to the established policy and plan to deal with extreme temperatures.
- Be aware of and adhere to health and safety guidelines related to extreme temperature and UV protection.
- Utilize proper sun protective clothing and equipment such as long-sleeved shirts/pants/skirts, wide brimmed hat or appropriate headwear, UV protective sunglasses (safety), and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher).
- Monitor daily heat advisories and adjust schedules if possible.
- Be aware of signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Follow first aid procedures promptly.
- Role model appropriate heat and sun safety behaviours.
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), 20 to 30 minutes before going outside to ensure absorption.
- When using DEET insect repellent, apply 20 to 30 minutes after sunscreen has been applied.
During a heat alert
Follow the general guidelines and:
Employers
- For outdoor workers, schedule regular breaks and implement work/rest cycles in cool environments.
- For indoor workers, schedule regular breaks and provide regular cooling/rest breaks.
- Ensure that staff follows the established buddy system to closely observe co-workers.
Workers
- Keep cool.
- Stay hydrated. Drink lots of cool beverages (plain water is the drink of choice).
- Follow the established buddy system and closely monitor and check on co-workers for signs of heat illness.
During an extreme heat alert
Follow heat alert guidelines and employers should:
- If possible, reschedule outdoor work and closely monitor indoor workers.
- Schedule breaks for frequent drinks to ensure adequate hydration. Plain water is the drink of choice.
- Reinforce the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and the immediate first aid actions required to treat. When in doubt call 911 for help.
General recommendations
Peel Region shelter operators:
- Review your operating procedures related to hot weather.
Peel Region outreach team:
- Be aware that children, seniors and those with chronic illnesses are most vulnerable. Some medical conditions and medications may increase sensitivity to heat.
- Inform and direct people to services and agencies for the homeless through street patrols and mobile outreach.
- Publicize Peel Street Helpline 1-877-848-8418 to help people find shelter and services.
- If possible, monitor people who refuse to take shelter.
- Be aware of signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Follow first aid procedures promptly.
During a heat alert
Advise people to:
- Keep cool.
- Stay hydrated.
- Check on unhoused friends or neighbours.
Follow the general recommendations and:
- If possible, increase street patrols and mobile outreach during heat alerts.
- If possible, provide or extend hours for cool spaces.
- Inform and direct people to cooler locations, such as a shopping mall, library, recreational centre or shelter services.
- If possible, provide plain water and lightweight clothing.
- If possible, provide bus tickets to homeless people trying to reach services or hostels.
During an extreme heat alert
Advise people to:
- Stay cool.
- Stay hydrated.
- Check on other homeless friends or neighbours.
Follow heat alert guidelines and:
- Strongly suggest that the homeless seek cool shelter either at a shopping mall, library or known homeless shelter in the area.
- Work with the local emergency medical system to get help for those exhibiting signs of heat illness.
General recommendations
- Establish a policy and plan to deal with extreme temperatures.
- Ensure that staff educate elderly people and their caregivers about how to protect their health during extreme temperatures.
- Keep elderly people cool and if possible, in an air-conditioned place.
- Maintain a comfortable indoor environment (within licensed facilities, an emergency alert situation exists when temperature inside the building is 32ยบ C or higher)
- Limit time outdoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when temperatures and UV radiation are most intense.
- Ensure heat and sun safety are integral parts of regular outdoor day programming. Wear UV protective sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and loose-fitting long shirts and pants.
- Advise the elderly and people with disabilities who live independently that electric fans should be used with caution. Use only if they bring in cool air from outside. Do not use them if they only circulate hot air. Instead take cool showers or baths.
- Ensure seniors and persons with disabilities are well hydrated. Plain water is the drink of choice. They can also stay hydrated by eating certain foods, like cucumbers, orange slices, and watermelon.
- Check regularly on the elderly to be sure they stay cool and well-hydrated.
- Staff should role model heat and sun safety behaviours.
- Staff should be aware of signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Follow first aid procedures promptly. Some medical conditions may increase sensitivity to heat.
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) 20 to 30 minutes before going outside to ensure absorption.
- When using DEET insect repellent, apply 20 to 30 minutes after the sunscreen has been applied.
During a heat alert
Follow the general recommendations and:
- Activate policies and plans to deal with extreme temperatures.
- Take immediate action if you find anyone exhibiting signs of heat illness. Start first aid procedures promptly or call 911 for anyone who exhibits signs of increased confusion or unresponsiveness.
- Consider suspending all outdoor activities. If residents must be outdoors, limit the time spent outdoors and ensure that staff are present.
- Provide a cool area in the building such as a common room for residents to visit.
- Ensure that residents drink lots of plain water (the drink of choice).
- Residents can also stay hydrated by eating certain foods, like cucumbers, orange slices, and watermelon.
- Check residents frequently, especially those who have a physical or mental disability or are on medications.
During an extreme heat alert
Follow heat alert guidelines and:
- Check rooms to ensure that air conditioning is in good working order and operating effectively in all rooms.
- Keep an air-conditioned common room available for residents to visit.
- Check on all residents every 1 to 2 hours.