People in the sun need to take care
With a humidex advisory in effect for the middle of Saskatchewan, some people are at risk in the extreme heat.
"Elderly people and those with chronic diseases are at higher risk of heat related problems," said Dr. Ross Findlater, medical health officer for the Saskatoon Health Region.
He also included people who work or do physical activity outside all day and children who are not always aware of when to limit their activity.
"There is a section of our society that can't afford air conditioners. Certainly people who have less access to air conditioned facilities are more likely to get into trouble," Findlater said.
With too much heat most people will experience headache, nausea, faintness, or muscle cramps. Such symptoms require getting cool and drinking a lot of fluids.
He said that it can get more serious if symptoms include high fever, confusion, or lack of sweat. They are signs of heatstroke and in extreme cases can lead to coma.
He suggests that people drink more fluids, chose shade over sun, and get cool for at least part of the day.
"In addition to worrying about themselves they should think about other people around them that they know or their neighbors who might be in the high risk group ... you can check on your friends," Findlater said.
Saskatoon does not have an emergency heat response plan like other larger centres but Findlater suggests there are alternative cool zones.
"There are a lot of places where
you can get in an air conditioned environment even for a short period of time
like a mall or a restaurant or a public facility," he said.


