Keep Cool This Summer
Manitoba summers are hot and can experience up to 16 hours of sunlight daily. Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures and UV rays can have serious health implications including heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat stroke and sunburn. Prevention of dehydration is important.
The City of Winnipeg invites residents to access clean drinking water at hydration stations, and come in and cool off in civic facilities during regular operating hours, as high temperatures are forecasted over the next few days.
Leisure centres and City libraries are available to act as ‘cooling areas’ where the public may come in for relief from the heat and have access to drinking water during operating hours. City indoor pools and outdoor spray pads are also great ways to cool down.
Call 311 or visit the City of Winnipeg website for details of these centres’ opening hours. For all other Municipalities in Manitoba, check with your local municipal offices, about cooling centres.
The best way to avoid a heat-related illness is to limit exposure outdoors during hot days. Here are a few recommendations for keeping cool this summer:
- Drink lots of water
- Reduce outdoor activities at hottest times of the day
- Seek spaces that are sheltered from the Sun
- Stay indoors
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- Close windows and blinds during the hottest part of the day and open windows and blinds when it is cooler in the evening.
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- If you are looking for indoor spaces to beat the heat, consider checking out your local public library, shopping mall or recreation centre.
- Cool off at your community pool
- Cool off at your community pool or spray pad. For an up-to-date list of city of Winnipeg spray pads, click here.
Preventing heat related illnesses can be especially challenging for people who are homeless or precariously sheltered.
To learn more about the effects of extreme heat, please visit Manitoba Health’s “Heat and Your Health” website.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect someone is experiencing a heat related illness, call 911 immediately. 
Image and content taken from the End Homeless Winnipeg Extreme Heat Response Plan and the Manitoba Health “Heat and Your Health” website.
