What do I do in B.C.’s heatwave? Medical officer warns of heatstroke

As people start flocking to the beach and spending the day under the warm sun, one medical officer warns to keep an eye out for signs of heat stroke or exhaustion.

Although it’s not expected to be like the heat dome we saw in June of 2021, the Lower Mainland is slated to be in a heatwave until Tuesday with temperatures expected to reach the 30-degree mark.

A lifeguard sits at a Vancouver beach. (Sarah Chew, CityNews Image)

But as residents may be tempted to spend more time outdoors, Michael Schwandt, a medical officer at Vancouver Coastal Health, says to be careful to keep an eye out on how you’re feeling.

“When we start to see symptoms like confusion, fainting, and a high body temperature that just won’t cool off — that can be a medical emergency,” he said.

“It’s really important for people to seek help in those times.”

So what are the best ways to cool off? Schwandt says if you don’t have air conditioning at home, he suggests going into a public place like a library or mall to cool off.

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On Thursday, the province issued safety reminders over the dangers of hot weather.

Seniors and those living alone are among the most vulnerable people to extreme heat. Officials are urging British Columbians to check in on their loved ones, friends, and neighbours who are most susceptible to higher temperatures to ensure they’re okay.

BC Hydro adds that fans are a cheap option and that it can help to simply block out the sun.

“One of the simplest things you can do is keep your blinds and curtains shut. That keeps about 65 per cent of the heat out,” Mora Scott, a spokesperson for BC Hydro, said.

But it may not be that easy to get your hands on a fan, as some shops are already seeing a demand.

Read more: B.C. heatwave preparation: increased demand for AC units, fans

BC Hydro adds that it expects a lot of electricity use during the heatwave, with the possibility of breaking the May usage record on Monday.

The heat is expected to continue from Friday’s warmth and through the weekend with Sunday and Monday expected to be the hottest days in the short-term.

“Daytime highs reaching into the high 20s to low 30s with overnight lows in the low to mid-teens,” reads Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) special weather statement. “Daytime highs will be 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above seasonal values.”

With files from Martin MacMahon, Cole Schisler and Hana Mae Nassar, and Emily Marsten