Heat waves bring health dangers to Mississauga, city officials warn

Mississauga, the GTA and all of Ontario are in for a hot summer and city officials urge people — especially those more vulnerable to the heat — to stay safe on sweltering days.

Environment Canada is predicting a warmer-than-usual summer for Ontario and other eastern parts of the country. If the hot days aren’t mixed with a few rainy days here and there, heat waves could take hold, City of Mississauga officials warn.

“It’s important to take extra care of your health during periods of hot weather and heat waves,” a city spokesperson said in a news release, adding several strategies can help people do just that.

Officials note the first taste of a hot summer will arrive next week with the first official day of summer falling on June 20. Daily temperatures are expected to climb into the low-to-mid 30s Monday through Friday.

“Around the world, heat waves are becoming more frequent. These periods of intense, sweltering heat are getting hotter and lasting longer — an indicator that our climate is changing,” city officials said. “Temperatures are expected to continue to rise and severe weather events like poor air quality from wildfires, heat waves, droughts and flooding will become more frequent as the world continues to warm.”

While heat waves can pose potential health dangers to everyone, the city said those most at risk include infants, young children, women who are pregnant, adults over age 65, those with health conditions, outdoor workers and those who are homeless.

Officials offer a number of tips for people to deal with the heat, including visits to city pools or Mississauga’s 32 spray pads and a popular wading pool in the downtown core.

A particular hit with kids, the spray pads and Celebration Square’s wading pool will be open throughout the spring and summer well into September. Mississauga officials note the spray pads, which are open daily starting at 9 a.m., will be unsupervised.

“Spray pads offer a unique mix of fun, safety and convenience that makes them a great summer activity, a refreshing escape from the heat and a fun way to cool off,” city officials said earlier. “They are free to use, making them an affordable and fun option for families. Unlike pools, spray pads have no standing water, making them a safe option for children of all ages, including those who don’t know how to swim.”

The Celebration Square wading pool is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day until Labour Day in early September. After Labour Day, it will shut down each night at 8 p.m.

The wading pool at Celebration Square, located in Mississauga’s downtown core. (Photo: City of Mississauga)

Other tips from the city to deal with the heat include:

• limit going outdoors during the hottest hours of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Plan strenuous outdoor work early in the day. If outdoors, stay protected in the shade as much as possible, limiting exposure to direct sunlight
• wear sunscreen
• take cooling breaks where possible in air-conditioned environments, or in the shade
• stay well hydrated
• use hats, light-coloured, loose-fitted clothing and sunglasses if outdoors
• eat lighter meals and choose foods with a higher water content
• use air-conditioned public spaces like libraries, community centres and malls to escape the heat
• be aware of signs and symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion
• check in on loved ones, neighbours or friends, especially if they live alone
• keep pets out of the heat for long periods of time. Also, avoid exposing your dog’s paws to hot pavement as hot surfaces could burn their paws

For more information, visit the city’s website.