By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
With the impending heat wave set to send temperatures close to 40°C, cooling centres are opening in Oliver and Osoyoos with particular concern for the elderly, those with pre-existing medical conditions and the estimated 235 people living out of doors locally.
“I run liquids as much as I possibly can,” says Jo Tanner, who runs the Oliver Missions Society. Tanner carries granola bars, gatorade, cool water and fresh fruit if she can get it, “to get the nutrients into them, but the biggest thing is hydration.”
In Oliver she estimates there are about 150 people living out of doors (primarily on RDOS land along the canal south of town) along with Osoyoos where there are 85 people living out of doors (primarily on Crown Land behind Dividend Ridge). For them it’s very difficult to escape the heat, she notes.
She also carries Narcan, the brand of naloxone nasal spray used to save the life of someone who is overdosing. She is now using it for 10 overdoses a month, a number that she says is rising.
Tanner is on the road daily visiting those who are vulnerable whether it be elderly seniors or those living outdoors. Aside from hydration and a bit of nutrition she also carries cool packs to help speed up the cooling process of those overwhelmed by the heat, particularly for seniors.
In its extreme heat advisory, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) urged residents and visitors to stay safe saying “Extreme heat can be dangerous and it’s important to understand the dangers and be prepared. Drinking plenty of water, staying cool, and following recommendations from Health Canada can help keep you and your family safe.”
It also urged taking breaks from the heat by spending a few hours in a cool place such as a swimming pool or public library, taking cool showers or baths until you feel refreshed, or using a fan to stay cool.
The Town of Osoyoos has also highlighted the coming extreme heat saying the Sonora Community Centre and Sun Bowl Arena will be open as a cooling centres for residents and visitors. Area beaches and parks are also an option for outdoor cooling and for kids, there is the Jack Shaw Splash Park, at 6601 89th St.
The Town of Oliver is working with local not-for-profit organizations – including Oliver Missions – to operate a cooling centre at the community centre on days it is forecasted to be 35°C or hotter, with the plan to open it on Sunday.
Other indoor locations to cool down include the Okanagan Regional Library Oliver Branch which is now open Monday – Saturday during the day, and the Oliver Senior Centre (250-498-6142) if you are a senior and looking for some cooler indoor activities.
The town also recommends visiting Oliver parks including the Kinsmen Spray Park for kids at 255 Fairview Road.
The heat wave will start on Sunday as a ridge of high pressure builds over the region ushering in very high temperatures, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Overheating symptoms:
- Interior health advises to take immediate action to cool down if you are overheating. Signs of overheating include feeling unwell, headache and dizziness. Overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, severe headache, muscle cramps, extreme thirst and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek a cooler environment, drink plenty of water, rest, use water to cool your body and monitor your symptoms.
- Signs of heat stroke include loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting and very dark urine or no urine. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
Tips to keep people and pets safe:
- If you have air conditioning at home, make sure it is in good working order;
- If no air conditioning find somewhere to cool off, like cooling centres or libraries;
- Close windows, curtains and blinds during the heat of the day to block the sun and prevent hotter outdoor air from coming inside. Open doors and windows when it is cooler outside to move that cooler air indoors and use fans in the late-evening, early morning to move cool air inside;
- Monitor temperatures inside your home as sustained indoor temperatures over 31°C can be dangerous for people who are susceptible to heat;
- Check on family, friends, and neighbours, especially vulnerable seniors and anyone who may not be able to escape the heat;
- Never leave a family member (or pet) inside a vehicle for any amount of time. This can be deadly during a heat wave;
- Stay in the shade, stay hydrated, wear clothing and a hat and sunscreen (at least SPF 30) while outdoors;
- Put together an emergency kit for potential power outages.
- Avoid walking dogs on hot pavement. If the pavement is too hot for your bare hand or foot after five seconds, it is likely too hot for your pet. You can learn more about pet well-being in extreme heat by visiting the BC SPCA website at spca.bc.ca.
- Develop a plan to escape when it gets too hot to stay home and familiarize yourself with community locations where you can cool down.
Cooling centre locations:
Osoyoos
Sonora Community Centre
8505 68th Avenue
Open Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sun Bowl Arena
9301 Hummingbird Lane
Open Hours:
Monday-Sunday 7 a.m. –3:30 p.m.
Oliver:
Oliver Community Hall
6359 Park Drive
Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday, July 8, 2024 from 11a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit Town of Oliver Social Media accounts for additional hours and locations.
More information and resources:
For information about how to be prepared during extreme heat, please visit: Be prepared for extreme heat – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
Additional information on preparedness for emergencies can be found on the Town of Oliver’s Emergency Preparedness webpage: oliver.ca/prepare-for-an-emergency . To ensure you are notified of important updates during emergencies in Oliver, sign up for VoyentAlert! at oliver.ca/stay-connected/register-emergency-alerts.
The BC Centre for Disease Control provides a broad range of heat-related guidance on its website,
