Beat the Heat
Hot weather warnings for Toronto
Extreme heat is a health risk. Heat-related illness includes heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat rash, and muscle cramps. Heat-related illness is preventable.
Watch for symptoms of heat-related illnesses which can include:
Dizziness or fainting
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Rapid breathing and heartbeat
Extreme thirst
If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Cool water is best, not ice-cold liquid.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 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, remove excess clothing, and/or apply cool water to large areas of the skin or clothing.
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Tips to Beat the Heat
· Drink plenty of cool water even before you feel thirsty
· Go to an air-conditioned place
· Wear loose, light-colored, breathable clothing, and when outdoors
wear a wide-brimmed hat.
· 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 (morning or evening) (Use the shadow rule)
· Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.
· Take cool showers or baths or use cool wet towels to cool down.
· Never leave a person or pet inside a parked car.
· Call, text, or video chat at-risk family, friends, or neighbors (especially older adults living alone) to make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids and keeping cool.
· If you sleep outside during the day, try to sleep in the shade. Remember the shade moves, so try to sleep in a spot that will be shady for a few hours.
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Groups at Greater Risk for Heat-Related Illness
· Older adults, especially those who are living alone (Isolated)
· Infants and young children
· People with chronic illnesses, such as heart or respiratory conditions
· People with limited physical mobility.
· People who work or exercise in the heat.
· People experiencing homelessness.
Tips for seniors and children
These groups of people are at a greater risk of getting a heat stroke during the summer months. You can follow these tips to keep them safe and cool:
- Provide plenty of water. Keep them hydrated by offering them cool water from time to time.
- Use a fan or air-conditioning to keep your home cool. - Provide water and enough shade when you are outdoors.
- Never leave them unattended in hot weather.
- Heat stroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate intervention. Untreated, it can lead to death. Act quickly to cool down your family member by moving them to a shaded area, and pouring cool water over their bodies.
Adapted from: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/hot-weather/beat-the-heat/
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A. Vocabulary:
Find the meaning of the following words:
1. Extreme: a. to suddenly become unconscious for a short time.
2. Risk: b. the mixture we get when we put things together
3. Fainting c. not near to other places
4. Cramps: d. extra
5. Preventable: e. fast
6. Rapid: f. very strong
7. Combination: g. having a big brim
8. Wide-brimmed: h. can be stopped
9. Intense: i. able to move easily and freely
10. Mobility: j. very large in amount or degree.
11. Isolated: k. the possibility of something bad happening.
12. Excess: l. a sudden painful tightening in muscle.
B. Answer the following questions:
1. Give examples of heat-related illnesses.
2. What are the symptoms of heat-related illnesses?
3. What do you need to do if you have a heat-related illness?
4. Which tips do you follow to beat the heat?
5. Give examples of air-conditioned places.
6. What is “The Shadow Rule”?
7. Who is at greater risk of heat-related illnesses?
8. How can you help them?
9. Give examples of isolated older adults.
10. You can't visit people during COVID time. What is the alternative?
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C. Fill in the blanks with the correct word(s) from the box:
Heat – Rash – Headaches – Thirsty – Symptoms – Sweat – Excess – Shade – Fluids - Exercise
1. My son always cries when he is _________________________________________.
2. People who work outdoors _________________________________________ a lot.
3. Teach your children to stay under the _________________ when they feel very hot.
4. Samira always gets very bad _____________________________ during heat waves.
5. The government of Canada issues ______________________ warnings in the summer.
6. If you get heat exhaustion, try to drink lots of _______________________________.
7. People with sensitive skin get ___________________________________ very easily.
8. It’s important to ____________ either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
9. To beat the heat, take off any _______________________ clothing you’re wearing.
10. ____________________ of heatstroke are, fainting, vomiting and rapid heartbeat.
D. Dictation:
- Write the words that you hear from your teacher.
1. Beat the heat.
2. Extreme heat is a health risk.
3. Heat rash.
4. Muscle cramps.
5. Heat-related illness is preventable.
6. Cool the person by moving them to a shady place.
7. Drink plenty of cool water.
8. Wear loose breathable clothing.
9. Avoid the sun or use an umbrella.
10. Remember to follow the shadow rule.
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