911 calls spike as Humidex rises
Posted Jul 17, 2013 04:32:33 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The sweltering heat and oppressive humidity is taking its toll on people’s health.
Paramedics have seen a big increase in the number of heat-related calls — by mid-afternoon Wednesday, more than double the number they saw on all of Tuesday.
Wednesday was the third day of a Heat Warning from Ottawa Public Health and by that point of a really hot stretch, an increase in heat-related 9-1-1 calls is typical.
“We don’t see a lot of calls in the first few days of a heat wave; we typically see it starting at about the third and even fourth day,” said J.P. Trottier, public information officer, Ottawa EMS.
A high number of calls in the early part of the day is a good indication that the heat and humidity are really having a negative effect.
“The majority of our calls do come in late in the afternoon, early evening hours,” Trottier told 1310News.
While most of the health warnings about heat are for people with chronic health issues, the very young or the very old, healthy people who ignore advice to take it easy are also at-risk.
“They go out and play soccer late in the afternoon, and may not have eaten well or drank enough fluids beforehand,” Trottier said.
“Your body will certainly give off some very clear signs that it’s not happy with the internal temperature, and you have to take action immediately.”
Trottier warns to keep an eye out for symptoms like profuse sweating with cool skin, as well as dizziness — which indicate heat exhaustion and a need to take immediate action to cool down.
Getting into the shade or into an air-conditioned space can help reduce your temperature and avoid heat stroke.
While many air conditioners will be working overtime, Hydro Ottawa and the operator of the province’s power grid both say we’re in good shape. Wednesday’s predicted peak consumption was not a record, and not even close to the total capacity available.
