Hot, humid weather on its way to Montreal

Hot and humid weather is on its way to Montreal this week, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

“We’re going to get the first heat wave of the season this week,” confirmed Simon Legault, a warning preparedness meteorologist with ECCC. “The peak of that wave would be Wednesday, Thursday.”

The agency warns that from Wednesday to Saturday, the daytime high is expected to be between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius, with a humidex value between 40 and 44.

Nighttime lows are set to hover around 20 degrees Celsius.

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“This is a prolonged period of high temperatures,” said Legault. “We expect impacts on the population, with the heat, the exhaustion that comes with that and the stress on the body.”

He notes that it’s hard for experts to know in advance how high the temperatures could go.

“There might be some showers and thunderstorms that might bring some momentary relief, but that won’t change the weather because the air mass that is up and humid will be around until the end of the week,” said Legault.

ECCC states that the hot weather could lead to exhaustion and heatstroke, as well as a general “inconvenience” to the population.

READ MORE: Environment Canada warns of high heat and humidity for southern Quebec and Ontario

Heat safety

High body temperatures can cause grave injury or lead to death.

The Quebec Health Ministry is asking people to take precautions during the hot weather:

• Drink six to eight glasses of water a day before feeling thirsty;
• Avoid alcoholic beverages or caffeine;
• Spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned or cool place;
• Take at least one cool shower or bath, or cool your skin with wet towels;
• Limit physical activity;
• Wear light clothes.

Signs of heat illness include swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.

“Reduce your heat risk,” ECCC notes. “Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.”

Anyone with health-related questions is encouraged to call Info-Santé at 811.

In case of emergency, call 911.

Child safety

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
• Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle.
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle, front and back, before locking the door and walking away.
• Make sure your childcare provider knows to call you if your child has not been dropped off at their usual time.
• Always place an item (such as a purse) in the backseat so you have to open the door each time you leave the vehicle.
• Keep a large stuffed animal in your child’s car seat when it is not occupied. When your child is in the car, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat.
• When you arrive at your destination, avoid any distractions, including talking on the phone or texting.
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call the police.
• If they are in distress due to the heat, get them out as quickly as possible and call 911 immediately.

Pool safety

In Quebec, one child a day arrives in an emergency room for drowning or near-drowning during the summer, according to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

In the last 30 years, the MCH trauma centre says it has seen more than 400 drownings and near-drownings.

Data show that 73 per cent of incidents occur in residential pools, park pools, aquatic centres and water parks.

Some ways to prevent drowning hazards:

• Constant adult supervision: undistracted and attentive surveillance of children, meaning no screens, books, chatting or drinking alcohol;
• The supervising adult should be within arm’s reach of anyone with weak swimming skills;
• Swimming lessons are encouraged;
• CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training is recommended;
• Never swim alone, regardless of age;
• Know the swimming skill level of those around you.