Medical Officer Of Health-Ottawa Public Library-Heat Exhaustion-City Of Ottawa-Heat Advisory

Heat Warning in effect for July 23

The Medical Officer of Health is issuing a Heat Warning for July 23, 2012. Humidex is forecast to exceed 40 today. It is important to know that extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death.Infants, young children and the homeless are also at greater risk from extreme heat, along with people taking medications such as for Parkinsons and antidepressants. OPH is encouraging people to check on family, friends and neighbours who may be isolated or vulnerable to the heat and need help accessing places to cool down.Water users of the Carp communal well system are reminded that the City has issued a water advisory. The City is distributing bottled water at the Carp Fairgrounds to those affected by this advisory.To avoid heat-related illnesses, residents and visitors should:

• Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water and avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun and seek shade and shelter at the first signs of heat exposure
• Wear lightweight and loose clothing
• Spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned location, including shopping malls, local libraries or neighbourhood community centres
• Never leave children, the elderly or pets unattended in a car, even with the windows partly rolled down

Residents can cool down at City of Ottawa pools, splash pads, wading pools, beaches and community centres, as well as Ottawa Public Library branches. In addition, Rainbow Cinemas in the St. Laurent Centre has partnered with the City of Ottawa to provide reduced ticket rates to help people access air conditioning and to cool down during heat warnings.High air pollution and UV index levels often occur during hot weather conditions.

• People with breathing and heart problems and parents and caregivers of children should pay attention to the hourly Air Quality Health Index available at airhealth.ca or at 1-866-688-3810.
• Check the forecasted UV index daily at theweathernetwork.com, local newspaper, television or radio. Choose a sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

As part of the City of Ottawa Heat Action Plan, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) closely monitors the weather forecast for heat, smog and UV index levels and notifies residents, service providers and media when heat thresholds are met. We offer protective and proactive advice on how to deal with these summer conditions.The smog and heat thresholds are:

• Heat Advisory (humidex of 36 or more for a least two consecutive days)
• Heat Warning (humidex of 40 or more for at least two consecutive days)
• Heat Emergency (humidex of 45 or more for at least two consecutive days or situational factors)
• Smog Advisory (based on air quality index (AQI) of > 50)
• UV Index Warning ( UV index of 10 or higher)

For additional information on ways to beat the heat, visit ottawa.ca/health or call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@ottawahealth). read more..

source:ottawa.ca

Medical Officer Of Health-Ottawa Public Library-Environment Canada-Consecutive Days

Heat Warning in effect for July 6 and 7

The Medical Officer of Health is issuing a Heat Warning for July 6 and 7. A heat warning is declared when Environment Canada forecasts a humidex of 40 or hotter for at least two consecutive days. It is important to know that extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death.Infants, young children and the homeless are also at greater risk from extreme heat, along with people taking medications like anti-Parkinsons and antidepressants. OPH is encouraging people to check on family, friends and neighbours who may be isolated or vulnerable to the heat and need help accessing places to cool down.To avoid heat-related illnesses, residents and visitors should:

• Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water and avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun and seek shade and shelter at the first signs of heat exposure
• Wear lightweight and loose clothing
• Spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned location, including shopping malls, local libraries or neighbourhood community centres
• Never leave children, the elderly or pets unattended in a car, even with the windows partly rolled down

Residents can cool down at City of Ottawa pools, splash pads, wading pools, beaches and community centres, as well as Ottawa Public Library branches. In addition, Rainbow Cinemas in the St. Laurent Centre has partnered with the City of Ottawa to provide reduced ticket rates to help people access air conditioning and to cool down during heat warnings.High air pollution and UV index levels often occur during hot weather conditions.

• People with breathing and heart problems and parents and caregivers of children should pay attention to the hourly Air Quality Health Index available at airhealth.ca or at 1-866-688-3810.
• Check the forecasted UV index daily at theweathernetwork.com, local newspaper, television or radio. Choose a sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

As part of the City of Ottawa Heat Action Plan, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) closely monitors the weather forecast for heat, smog and UV index levels and notifies residents, service providers and media when heat thresholds are met. We offer protective and proactive advice on how to deal with these summer conditions.The smog and heat thresholds are:

• Heat Advisory (humidex of 36 or more for a least two consecutive days)
• Heat Warning (humidex of 40 or more for at least two consecutive days)
• Heat Emergency (humidex of 45 or more for at least two consecutive days or situational factors)
• Smog Advisory (based on air quality index (AQI) of > 50)
• UV Index Warning ( UV index of 10 or higher)

For additional information on ways to beat the heat, visit ottawa.ca/health or call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@ottawahealth). read more..

source:ottawa.ca

Ottawa Public Library-Physical Activity-Steps Per Day-Councillor-Pedometer

Councillors Track their Steps with Ottawa Public Library Pedometers

Every day, beginning with our first steps as a child, we walk. But do you know that for adults ages 18 to 64 it is recommended that you reach 10,000 steps per day? Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) invite you to use a pedometer to track your steps!To mark the end of Physical Activity Month, OPH staff, Board of Health members Katherine Hobbs and Mathieu Fleury, and Councillors and OPL Board trustees Jan Harder and Shad Qadri are wearing pedometers all week. They will be tweeting their step counts and trying to reach the 10,000 a day goal. Follow #ottawawalks and #ottawamarche to see how they’re doing!Walking is a free, accessible and low impact form of physical activity that can be incorporated throughout the day. To increase your daily steps:

• Walk to work or school
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator
• Take a lunch time walk
• Walk to the movies or local grocery store

Ottawa Public Library offers a pedometer lending program at all of its branches. With a library card, residents can borrow a pedometer for three-week periods to count their steps and watch their walking increase over time.  Every step counts – put your best foot forward and try to reach the daily step goal for your age. For more information on the pedometer lending program and to view pedometer availability, please visit biblioottawalibrary.ca.Wearing a pedometer will show the number of steps taken each day and it will help to compare your current walking activity level with what is recommended for your age. Daily step goals include:

• Children (5 to 11 years): 12,000 to 16,000 steps per day
• Youth (12 to 17 years): 11,000 to 12,000 steps per day
• Adults (18 to 64 years): 10,000 steps per day
• Older adults (65+): 6,000 to 7,000 steps per day

Follow Councillor Harder @BarrhavenJan, Councillor Qadri @ShadQadri, Councillor Hobbs @Katherine_Hobbs and Councillor Fleury @MatheiuFleury and use #ottawawalks and #ottawamarche to participate and reach your goal! Let us know what you’re doing to increase your daily steps! read more..

source:ottawa.ca