Air Quality, Cold and Heat

The Medical Officer of Health for the Brant County Health Unit issues a cold alert when temperatures are expected to drop below -15^oC, without wind chill.

This warning remains in effect on a daily basis until cancelled.

Everyone is at risk during very cold weather. In temperatures of -15^oC or colder, unprotected skin can freeze in less than 30 minutes and the risk of developing hypothermia is high.

The Brant County Health Unit and the City of Brantford work together with various community agencies to ensure that emergency accommodation is available during the extreme cold. Everyone is encouraged to seek shelter.

Please note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, some community agencies listed below may be closed or operating with reduced hours.

Prevention

To prevent cold injuries, such as hypothermia and frostbite:

• Wear several layers of clothing and make sure the outer layer protects you from both wind and wetness.
• Cover exposed skin using hats, scarves, neck warmers, mittens, and/or face masks.
• Wear waterproof winter boots with an extra layer of socks.
• Drink warm, caffeine- and alcohol-free fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Check on elderly and vulnerable people frequently, to ensure they are safe and warm.

Vulnerable

Some groups are particularly vulnerable to the frigid temperatures, including:

The Medical Officer of Health for the Brant County Health Unit calls a Heat Warning when Environment and Climate Change Canada reports a temperature and humidex of more than 31^o Celsius or a humidex of more than 40^o Celsius.

This warning remains in effect on a daily basis until cancelled. 

While everyone is at risk from extreme heat, the health risks are greater for these people:

• older adults;
• infants and young children;
• people with chronic illnesses such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions or psychiatric illnesses;
• people who work and/or exercise in the heat; and
• those without air conditioning in their homes.

If you take medication or have a health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it increases your health risk in the heat and follow their recommendations.

Heat-Related Illness

Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps. Symptoms of these illnesses may include:

• dizziness or fainting;
• nausea or vomiting;
• headache;
• rapid breathing and heartbeat;
• extreme thirst; and
• decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine.

If you experience any of these symptoms during extreme heat, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.

Heat-related illnesses are preventable. To reduce your risk of heat-related illness, here are a few things you can do:

• Avoid the sun.
• Drink lots of cool liquids, especially water before you feel thirsty. Thirst is not a reliable measure of dehydration.
• Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.
• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.
• Never leave people or pets in your care inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight.
• Take a break from the heat in cool places, including a tree-shaded area or air-conditioned building so long as you ensure you are maintaining physical distancing from others.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Prepare meals that don’t need to be cooked in an oven.
• Block sun out by closing curtains or blinds during the day.
• Shade yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed, breathable hat or using an umbrella.
• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine.
  • Choose cool water and coconut water and the occasional fizzy drink.
  • Eat high water content foods like watermelon, grapes, cucumber and tomatoes.
• Exercise outdoors.
  • Head out early or late in the day. Choose larger green spaces with shade.
• Turn off or unplug as many appliances as possible.
  • Fix meals with little or no cooking.
  • Unplug appliances when not in use to reduce heat created.
• Create a cold water bottle.
  • Fill a hot water bottle with cold water and freeze then place near your feet.
  • Keep your hot/cold therapy pack in the freezer.
• Use a fan wisely.
  • Fans can just circulate hot humid air, so point it out a window to push the hot air out or place a shallow bowl of ice in front of the fan to blow cooler air toward you.
• If sleeping is unbearable, try a slightly damp towel in bed.
• Use a cool/cold foot bath to cool you down.
• Frequently connect with vulnerable neighbours, friends, and older family members, especially those who are chronically ill, to make sure they are cool and hydrated. Use the Health Checks During  Extreme Heat Events guide for doing in-person or remote health checks.
• Check with the City of Brantford or the County of Brant for cooling centre information and locations.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Call 911 immediately if you are caring for someone who has a high body temperature and is unconscious, confused or has stopped sweating.

While waiting for medical help to arrive, if you can, help cool the person by:

• moving them to a cool place;
• applying cold water to large areas of the skin or clothing; and
• fanning the person as much as possible

When air quality is a concern, the Medical Officer of Health for the Brant County Health Unit will issue an adverse air quality statement.

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is an online tool that helps Canadians across the country protect their health from the negative effects of air pollution, in real time.

Populations considered at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by poor air quality include:

• People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease
• older adults
• children
• pregnant people
• people who work outdoors

Poor air quality can be harmful to everyone’s health. Exposure to air pollution may cause healthy people to experience irritated eyes, increased mucus in the nose or throat, coughing or difficulty breathing, especially during exercise.

When local AQHI values exceed 7 (considered “high-risk”):

• Higher-risk populations are advised to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities.
• All others not in a high-risk population should consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor activities if they experience coughing or throat irritation.

The most effective ways to protect yourself from poor air quality are to stay indoors, limit time outdoors, and reduce physical activity. If you need to go outside, a well-fitted respirator type mask, such as an N95, that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, can help reduce your exposure to fine particles. These fine particles generally pose the greatest risk to health. However, respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases caused by smoke or other particulate matter. It is important to listen to your body and reduce or stop activities if you are experiencing symptoms.

Residents are encouraged to adjust their activities based on their personal risk level and the evolving conditions. Residents who have questions about their personal risk level should consult their primary health care provider. To learn more about the health risks of air pollution, visit the Government of Canada’s website.

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) determines the air quality where you live.

When a heat warning comes with an adverse air quality advisory:

• reduce strenuous activity during periods of extreme heat;
• plan physical activities for cooler parts of the day;
• exercise in an air-conditioned place, or a cooler outdoor location such as a tree-shaded area; and
• avoid high traffic areas because pollution levels tend to be higher on hot days.

Heat

• Extreme Heat (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)
• It’s Way Too Hot! Protect Yourself From Extreme Heat (Government of Canada)
• Keep Children Cool! Protect Your Child From Extreme Heat (Government of Canada)
• You’re Active In The Heat. You’re At Risk. Protect Yourself (Government of Canada)
• Community Care During Extreme Heat: Heat Illness (Government of Canada)
• Health Facilities Preparation for Extreme Heat: Recommendations for Retirement and Care Facilities (Government of Canada)
• Brantford Weather Forecast and UV Index (Government of Canada)

Air Quality

• Brantford – Air Quality Index (Government of Canada)

Sun Safety

• Be Sun Safe (Canadian Cancer Society)
• Brantford Weather Forecast and UV Index (Government of Canada)
• Sun Safety (Government of Canada)