Calgarians find ways to stay cool ahead of expected heat wave
In a few days, Friday’s temperature is going to feel like a relief as a strong heat wave is expected to sweep through Alberta pushing temperatures above 35 degrees for multiple days.
Eight-year-old Aria Marsollier is staying cool by going rafting with her father at Sandy Park Beach in the city’s south west.
“If I get really hot I can get out of the raft and I can cool down,” she said.
"If I get too cold I can get back in the raft.”
Her father also has a few other tips to stay cool when the mercury rises.
“A nice cool basement, going for walks or bikes in the evening and we also discovered if you fill a humidifier with ice cubes it’s delightful.”
Over at The Giving Garden, a charity garden that helps feed vulnerable people in Calgary, Dawna Britnell is trying to save the veggies in the ground by spreading mulch over top of the roots.
She said the heat wave is a concern.
“We have a lot of raised beds," she said. "It's really hard for water retention obviously and we have a lot of issues up here as it is a very hostile environment so protecting our veggies from the heat, especially the roots right now is going to be extremely important for conserving water and making sure that they don't die before we are able to get them produced and out to market.”
EXTRA FOUNTAINS
The city said Thursday it will be adding extra fountains and water stations to prepare for the heat wave. Spray parks and pools will also open up and people are reminded to exercise COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Helene Hamilton, acting public education officer with Alberta Health Services EMS, said it's important to be cautious to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Some of the tips she provided include drinking plenty of water, wearing a hat, sun screen and taking breaks to find shade and air conditioning.
Hamilton said while seniors and children are more susceptible to heat emergencies, young and healthy people can also be impacted therefore it’s important to notice signs before it get serious.
“Heat exhaustion is where you’re feeling a little lethargic, kind of run down, you have a headache and feeling a little sick to your stomach,” said Hamilton.
If you feel these symptoms, that’s a good indication it’s time for you to stop whatever you’re doing and seek out some shade or cooler environment and get hydrated again.”
Hamilton said if heat exhaustion gets serious, a person’s body could stop sweating and shut down and they could start to get disoriented and confused. If this happens, it’s time to call 911.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to start evacuating from the area, signalling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent.