2023-09-06 02:09:18
With the heat wave currently hitting several regions of Quebec, the key to protecting toddlers and the elderly is hydration, air conditioning and avoiding exposure to the sun.
“In the ABCs for children, you have to check if they are properly hydrated, do not move them too much outside when it is hot, avoid the sun’s rays, wear light clothes and have access to air conditioning. If there is no air conditioning, cold water compresses will also do good, ”says Stéphane Perron, doctor at the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ).
He says it’s basically the same advice for older people. These are however more at risk when it is very hot, because they feel less thirst and they sweat less than the rest of the population, warns the Dr Peron. “Their system is less well suited to be able to beat the heat well. »
This age group is particularly vulnerable when very hot weather has persisted for a while, he points out. “Usually, the first day, it’s not so bad. But a few days with hot nights, it is certain that these people are more at risk. »
The heat and humidity will continue Wednesday in several places in the province, but they should be “a little less intense” Thursday and Friday, said Simon Legault, meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada. “From Saturday or Sunday, we will see the temperature plummet, or even Friday for certain sectors in Quebec,” he says.
“Social solidarity” above all
The INSPQ doctor launches a message of “social solidarity” for heat episodes. “Those who know seniors who are isolated, be sure to call them to see if everything is okay, if there is no confusion, if they are comfortable and at ease,” he said. -he.
If these people haven’t eaten or drunk in a long time or if they haven’t used the bathroom for more than 12 hours, these are signs of dehydration, warns the Dr Peron. “It is important to intervene immediately. »
During heat waves, seniors who live in small, high-rise, non-air-conditioned apartments are very vulnerable, he points out. “If there is a way to either move to [leur] give respite or [les] bringing it to an air-conditioned place for longer is really not a bad thing to do. »
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