Safety top of mind for Lethbridge summer camps, animals as heat warning lingers
![lethbridge hot, hot heat Summer campers at Lethbridge College are trading in sunshine for air conditioning as a heat warning continues to blanket most of Alberta with temperatures expected in the mid-30s.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/7/10/lethbridge-hot--hot-heat-1-6959164-1720653604235.jpeg)
Summer campers at Lethbridge College are trading in sunshine for air conditioning as a heat warning continues to blanket most of Alberta with temperatures expected in the mid-30s.
"Campers' safety is always our priority here with summer camps," said Paige Thornborough, co-ordinator of youth initiatives at the college.
"We're very cognitive anytime we're experiencing extreme weather, extreme heat such as this, so we really made a concentrated effort over the last couple of days to really evaluate ways that we can be reducing any potential risks to the campers."
Thornborough says those efforts include moving outdoor activities inside, taking more water breaks and only going outside at non-peak times.
"There has been fairly minimal impact on the schedules of our camps," she said.
"We have extremely fantastic camp leaders who are highly adaptable in adjusting on the fly and changing out some activities."
Health officials recommend staying inside as much as possible.
"Individuals can sort of end up with heat exhaustion and this is people feeling tired, they may feel nausea, have some dizziness, they're extensively perspiring, they may feel faint. That can quickly progress to heat stroke," explained Dr. Vivien Suttorp, South Zone medical officer of health with Alberta Health Services.
Suttorp says wearing long-sleeves and sunscreen, avoiding peak heat times and watching the UV rate and humidity can protect you.
"If you recognize someone with heat exhaustion where they're feeling nausea, dizzy, they have a headache or are feeling faint, get them out of the sun and put them in the shade, provide them rehydration … water is best," she said.
The city says places like the Lethbridge Public Library, Park 'n' Ride and Cavendish Centre are open to the public to cool down.
Outreach organizations have also extended hours to allow the unhoused population a reprieve from the heat.
As for our four-legged friends, veterinarians say things like limiting the time paws spend on hot cement and never leaving your animal alone in a hot car can help keep them safe in the heat.
"Beyond that, if it's a hot day, we don't want to be exercising them extensively, right?" said veterinarian Dr. Chanpreet Bath.
For those looking to cool down on an open body of water or the Oldman River, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind everyone to wear a lifejacket and plan ahead, including creating a float plan, staying sober and knowing how to swim.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979942.1722089395!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
UPDATED Jasper wildfire largest in 100 years, expected to burn for months: Officials
Officials say the Jasper wildfire, which tore through the townsite on Wednesday, is the largest the national park has recorded in 100 years.
Wasaga Beach reacts to reports of beachgoers defecating in sand
While Wasaga Beach is known for being the longest freshwater beach in the world, it has been talked about for a different reason in recent weeks, as reports have surfaced of beachgoers defecating in the sand.
'A point of no return:' Why Europe has become an epicentre for anti-tourism protests this summer
Anti-tourism protests have been sweeping across Europe this summer, with demonstrations taking place in the Netherlands, Greece, and of course, Spain.
FIFA deducts points, bans Canadian coaches in drone-spying scandal
FIFA has deducted six points from Canada in Olympic women's soccer standings and banned three coaches for one year amid a drone-spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What is still standing in Jasper, including the town's namesake bear statue, and what isn't
Images emerging from the town of Jasper are painting a picture of what's still standing and what isn't after wildfire tore through the community on July 24.
Summer McIntosh wins Canada's first medal at Paris 2024 with silver in women's 400m freestyle
Summer McIntosh has won Canada's first medal of the Olympic Games in Paris with a silver in swimming's 400-metre freestyle.
Air Canada flight from Casablanca cancelled after incident involving flight attendant
Air Canada has confirmed that a Montreal-bound flight from Casablanca, Morocco, was cancelled on Friday following an incident between a flight attendant and a passenger.
Rocket attack on town in Israeli-controlled Golan Heights kills at least 11. Netanyahu hurries home
A rocket strike Saturday at a soccer field killed at least 11 children and teens, Israeli authorities said, in the deadliest strike on an Israeli target along the country's northern border since the fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah began. It raised fears of a broader regional war.
Man arrested after alleged attempt to grab child: TPS
A man has been arrested and charged after allegedly attempting to grab a child in east Toronto earlier this month.