The City of Ottawa has been put under a heat warning until Thursday as the mercury continues to climb passed the 30-degree mark.
The temperature in Ottawa on Thursday is expected to be 35 degress Celsius, but the humidex will make it feel more like 46. There will be a UV index of 10 or very high.
A heat warning is automatically issued whenever Environment Canada forecasts a humidex of 40 or more for two days in a row.
Ottawa's medical officer of health is warning residents to take steps to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death.
He says the heat is especially hard on the elderly and chronically ill.
"If they have no protection from the heat, such as access to air conditioning and plenty of fluids, they can develop serious health effects and even die," Dr. Isra Levy said in a news release on Wednesday.
Infants, children and the homeless are also at greater risk, along with people who take Parkinson's medication or anti-depressants.
The city is reminding residents they can cool down by visiting Ottawa's public swimming pools, wading pools, community centres and libraries. There were only two public beaches in Ottawa open to swimmers on Wednesday - Mooney's Bay and Petrie River beaches.
To avoid heat-related illnesses people should:
- drink plenty of fluids, preferably water
- avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors
- avoid direct exposure to the sun
- wear lightweight and loose clothing
- spend at least two hours per day in an air-conditioned location
