Though summer is still technically a few weeks away, summer-like weather certainly returned to Rocky View County last week, with temperatures in the Crossfield and Airdrie region rising as high as 33 C on June 3.
While it can be fun to get out and enjoy the sunshine, a heat wave like we experienced last week can be dangerous if not approached properly. On June 2, parts of Rocky View County were even placed under a heat warning by Environment Canada. Heat warnings are only issued when very high temperature conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, according to Environment Canada, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. With all this in mind, heat safety is something worth taking seriously.
If you’re going to spend significant time outdoors this summer, it is important to take precautions, such as always wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, and to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or other non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages.
Depending on how hot it gets, it may be a good idea to reschedule certain outdoor activities to cooler times of the day, and to take frequent breaks from the heat in cooler indoor spaces or shaded areas. Remember that pets and children should absolutely not be left in parked vehicles for any period of time.
Rocky View County boasts a plethora of outdoor summer attractions for people to enjoy, whether it’s enjoying a beach day at Ghost Lake or Chestermere Lake, hitting the links at the region's plentiful golf courses, seeking out an ice cream cone in Bragg Creek or Cochrane or visiting the popular splash parks in Airdrie, Crossfield or Irricana. No matter your interests, there are plenty of fun ways to beat the heat throughout the region – and as public health restrictions ease in the coming weeks, the number of summer leisure options will only increase.
But let's all remember to beat the heat this year by staying mindful of basic heat-related health and safety.
