Before a heat event

Planning is key to making sure you are ready for a heat event. If you are able, please make sure you have some of the following:

• Air conditioning unit in at least one room if possible
  • If cost is a barrier, consider if you are eligible for the BC Hydro free portable air conditioning program.
• Two weeks’ worth of any medication (both routine and flare-up/emergency) and inhalers
• Someone to check-up on you regularly if you live alone
• Window coverings to block out heat (call 211 to see if there are subsidies/rebates for cooling measures for your home)
• Portable air cleaners or air filters for your HVAC systems for potential smoke
• Cold packs in your freezer
• Lightweight clothing and linen
• Fans to bring cold air in from outside at night
• A space in the coolest part of your home, such as the basement, once outside temperatures reach 31°C

Ask a health professional how medications or health conditions can affect your risk in the heat.

Stay up-to-date – weather can change quickly. Tune in to weather forecasts and heat alerts. Use a weather app like WeatherCAN.

We also encourage you to have a plan should you need to leave your home due to the heat. This may include planning to stay with family or a friend, or relocating to cooling centers in your community during the hottest part of the days.

Resources:

Programs for home retrofits

• Energy Conservative Assistance Program (ECAP) for advice and a free energy saving kit. 
• Energy Efficiency Rebate Search Tool - Better Homes BC Incentive Programs - call 1-844-881-9790 for assistance. 
• CleanBC Income Qualified Program for more substantial retrofits for lower income homeowner.
• Empower Me, which tailors to multilingual households and newcomers. 
• Government of Canada rebates.

Guidance

• PreparedBC’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide
• Staying Healthy in the Heat fact sheets (Health Canada)
• Parents: Keep children cool! Protect your child from extreme heat
• Athletes: You’re active in the heat. You’re at risk! Protect yourself from extreme heat
• Seniors: It’s way too hot! Protect yourself from extreme heat
• Beat the Heat B.C. (HealthLinkBC)
• Three Steps to Home Heat Protection (University of Waterloo)
• Three Steps to Apartment Heat Protection (University of Waterloo)