We may not be experiencing the heat wave that hit Montreal and eastern Canada, but it can still be a killer if people aren’t careful.
With temperatures in the high 30 C range in Toronto and Montreal, and the humidex making it feel in the 40 C range, those in Quesnel might be forgiven for gloating a little over our recent beautiful mid- to high-20 C weather. And even the rainy but relatively nice high teens we have had, as well (at least it saved a bit of watering of the garden, and dampened down those wildfires).
But there are serious consequences when the mercury reaches that high, and nobody is gloating over that. In Montreal and the Eastern Townships, at least 18 deaths were being blamed on the heat. People with only mild symptoms were being asked not to phone for an ambulance, the service is so overwhelmed.
Though the areas in question are used to hotter summers than we generally experience here, many still do not have air conditioning, and when the temperature soars to this level there is little escape.
And while it’s true that our temperatures have reached nowhere near theirs, it can still be dangerous for those who take for granted that when outdoors under most circumstances, we are nowhere near the danger zone. Because inside a vehicle, in particular, the sun shining through the windows can have the thermometer near the breaking point in very short order.
It seems no matter how many times people have been warned in the past not to leave children or pets alone trapped in hot cars, they still roll the dice.
In Delta, near Vancouver, during the Canada Day weekend, two children had to be rescued and were in rough shape after being left in a car at Tsawwassen Mills. Charges are pending. And that’s a relatively happy ending. It hasn’t happened here recently, but who’s to say it couldn’t?
With the hot weather continuing as we head into Billy Barker Days weekend, locals need to be diligent about what (or who) they leave in their car, and remember to swig plenty of water.
We here have much more of a choice whether or not to swelter under the sun. Don’t be foolish.
Black Press