極端高溫天氣

高風險人士
高風險人士
經常查看您的鄰居、朋友和家人，確保他們能夠保持涼爽，並制定應急計劃。這樣可以挽救生命。
溫哥華沿岸衛生局 (VCH) 為非政府組織提供的高溫天氣查看現況的支援框架
Steps to protect yourself and others from heat
How to check-in and support others during hot weather
Cooling centres and cooling spaces
“Heat Warnings” and “Extreme Heat Emergencies”
Special considerations for mental health and substance use
Extreme heat research and data
極端高溫天氣資源
Resources for health professionals

極端高溫天氣可以非常危險。了解中暑、熱衰竭的症狀，以及如何為酷熱的季節做好準備，以保護您自己以及您的鄰居、朋友和家人的健康。

高風險人士

高溫對每個人的影響不盡相同，但有些人的健康可能更容易受到影響。以下人士特別需要注意保持涼爽：

60 歲或以上的年長者
獨居者
已患有例如糖尿病、心臟疾病或呼吸系統疾病等健康問題的人士
患有思覺失調症、抑鬱症或焦慮症等精神疾病人士
患有物質使用疾患的人士，包括酗酒
行動不便人士
邊緣無定居所者
在酷熱環境中工作的人士
孕婦
嬰兒和幼兒

其他人士也會受到酷熱天氣的影響。每個人的反應都不同，所以要多留意自己的身體狀況。

高風險人士

高溫對每個人的影響不盡相同，但有些人的健康可能更容易受到影響。以下人士特別需要注意保持涼爽：

60 歲或以上的年長者
獨居者
已患有例如糖尿病、心臟疾病或呼吸系統疾病等健康問題的人士
患有思覺失調症、抑鬱症或焦慮症等精神疾病人士
患有物質使用疾患的人士，包括酗酒
行動不便人士
邊緣無定居所者
在酷熱環境中工作的人士
孕婦
嬰兒和幼兒

其他人士也會受到酷熱天氣的影響。每個人的反應都不同，所以要多留意自己的身體狀況。

經常查看您的鄰居、朋友和家人，確保他們能夠保持涼爽，並制定應急計劃。這樣可以挽救生命。

在以往的酷熱天氣出現時，大部分死者都在家中並是社交孤立的人士。

Cover of heath check-in support framework

溫哥華沿岸衛生局 (VCH) 為非政府組織提供的高溫天氣查看現況的支援框架

在 2022 年春季，溫哥華沿岸衛生局 (VCH) 健康環境團隊與當地政府和社區組織合作，了解他們需要什麼，來幫助他們進行酷熱天氣查看現況以支援社區成員。合作夥伴指出關於他們如何進行檢查的資料需求，以及解答工作人員和檢查對象預期的常見問題。酷熱天氣查看現況檢查由各種訓練有素的工作人員或志願者，在不同的環境下進行。鑑於廣泛的背景，創建這個框架以便各組織可以選擇與其環境最相關的資訊，來制定各組織自己的查看現況計劃。

下載高溫天氣查看現況的支援框架

Steps to protect yourself and others from heat

The most dangerous aspect of heat waves for most people is high indoor temperatures. Spending time in a cool space and drinking plenty of water is the best way to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Wildfire smoke can also cause health problems. During both wildfire smoke and heat events, consider also filtering your air using HEPA air cleaners. Find out more about wildfire smoke.

Keep yourself and other people cool
- Spend time in cooler indoor and outdoor spaces (i.e. community center, library or mall with air conditioning).
- Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated, even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Cool off with a shower, bath or soaking part of your body in water.
- Wear a wet shirt or damp towels to cool down.
- Wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing.
- Limit activity, especially during the hottest hours of the day (generally 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in B.C.).
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. For heat-vulnerable people, the risk for heat-related illness may increase at indoor temperatures over 26°C (78 °F) and may be very high at indoor temperatures over 31°C (88 °F).
Keep spaces cool
- During the day, close windows and shades/blinds to trap cooler air inside and block the sun.
- At night, open windows and doors when it is cooler outside (usually 9-10 p.m. in B.C.). Some bathroom and kitchen fans vent outside and can be used to remove warmer indoor air. Use portable fans to bring cool air into the home overnight.
- Consider getting an air conditioner for your home. If you have air conditioning, be sure to turn it on.
- Monitor indoor temperatures for yourself and those you are checking on. For heat-vulnerable people, the risk for heat-related illness may increase at indoor temperatures over 26°C (78 °F).

Checking in with someone during a heat wave can save lives. A heat check-in is a visit, call, or text to assess the heat-related safety of the home, if the person shows signs of heat-related illness, and if they need help. Anyone can do a heat check-in and health training is not required.

NCCEH guide: How to check in with people during a heat wave

Use this guide from the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH) to check in with family, friends, neighbours and other community members who may be at higher risk for heat illness. Available for download in English, French, Chinese and Punjabi.

Learn more

VCH guide for community organizations checking in with people during heat waves

Heat check-ins happen in a variety of settings and are carried out by organizational staff or volunteers with diverse training. This framework was created so organizations may select the information that is most relevant to their setting to develop their own organizational heat check-in plans.

Learn more

Heat check-in training (video)

Watch this video and go through the practice scenarios to learn the basic steps of a heat check-in.

Watch video

Heat check-in: Train the trainer (video)

This train-the-trainer video resource is for organizations training their staff or volunteers to do heat check-ins.

Watch video

Local weather, shelter, and emergency information

During extreme heat events, it is important to spend time in cool spaces. Several cities and towns in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region operate specialized cooling centres or encourage people to use other public spaces to cool down (like libraries, community centres and parks). Misting and water fill station stations may also be provided during a heat event.

Learn more

Creating cooling spaces during hot weather

Evidence-informed public health guidance for community organizations to set up and operate inclusive, acceptable, and effective cool spaces in a variety of facilities.

Learn more

Policy tools to create and support cooler, safer indoor living spaces

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) conducted a review of policy and regulatory options that could increase thermal safety in homes within the VCH health region. In addition to describing a variety of policy options, findings indicate that multiple policy interventions at different levels of government are needed, as are strategies to overcome significant challenges relating to cost and feasibility, and to avoid unintended consequences.

Learn more

“Heat Warnings” and “Extreme Heat Emergencies”

In response to the 2021 BC heat dome, multiple health sector partners, and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) developed the BC Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS). This two-level alert system lays out the criteria that ECCC will use to declare a Heat Warning (Level 1) or an Extreme Heat Emergency (Level 2), the appropriate public health messaging for both types of alerts, and the recommended actions for the health sector, local governments, and other partners.

Alerts

Heat Warning (Level 1)

Threat: Daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than seasonal norms and holding steady.
Action: Take the usual steps to stay cool and check on people at higher risk from heat.
Extreme Heat Emergency (Level 2)

Threat: Daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than seasonal norms and getting hotter every day.
Action: Activate your emergency plan and check on people at higher risk from heat at least once a day.

Special considerations for mental health and substance use

For many, extreme weather can take a toll on mental health and well-being. Challenges with substance use can increase, and substance use can place people at high risk for heat-related illness. Don’t hesitate to get help when you need it. There are supports available.

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extreme heat graphics for visualizing climate action

Vancouver’s Indoor HEAT Study (2021-2023)

This multi-year Indoor HEAT Study collected indoor air temperature, building, and household data from Vancouver residents to better understand indoor heat exposure and inform recommendations for keeping homes safely cool.

Read the results of the study

2021 BC heat dome and VCH ER visits

Following the 2021 BC heat dome, the VCH Public Health Surveillance Unit studied emergency room visit data in collaboration with VCH and Providence Health Care Emergency Medicine programs. This event led to a substantial increase in Emergency Department visits related to heat-related illness in VCH hospitals. These visit rates varied significantly by area of residence and age.

Read the full report

Coming soon: VCH CLEAR Report

The Climate, Lived Experience, And Resilience (“CLEAR”) Community Consultation Report recognizes the unique knowledge and insights of people with lived experience of climate-related events. CLEAR has been an ongoing engagement process since the 2021 BC Heat Dome, which involved engagement and community consultation to hear and learn from equity-deserving populations on lived experiences from the 2021 BC Heat Dome.

Read the full report