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December 29, 2017 – Alert Covers the City and County of Peterborough and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations

Peterborough Public Health is extending the Frostbite Alert issued December 26, 2017 because of forecasted nightly wind chill values of -27°C or lower from December 29, 2017 to January 1, 2018.  Temperatures are expected to rise above the Frostbite Alert level during the day of January 1, 2018.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.  Local social service agencies rely on Peterborough Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening.  There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

What clothing should be worn outdoors?

Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation.  Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.

Here are some useful tips:

  • Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
  • Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
  • If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you’re wet.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia:
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

Frostbite:           

Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and the Health Unit’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.pcchu.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391

 

When the weather gets this cold, please check in on others like the elderly to make sure they are staying warm enough.  If you must go outside, do dress appropriately by covering up as much as possible as frostbite can develop very quickly on exposed skin during periods of extreme cold. Wear waterproof and windproof outer layers, as brightly coloured as possible if you’re going to be out in the snow, and choose warm mittens instead of gloves.  Avoid getting wet and change into dry clothing as soon as possible if you do get wet from precipitation, sweat or from falling in water.

December 26, 2017 – Alert Covers the City and County of Peterborough and

Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations

Peterborough Public Health has issued the second Frostbite Alert of the season because of forecasted nightly wind chill values of -27 or lower from December 26 to 29. Temperatures are expected to rise above Frostbite Alert criteria during the late evening of Friday, December 29, 2017.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.  Local social service agencies rely on Peterborough Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

What clothing should be worn outdoors?

Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.

Here are some useful tips:

  • Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
  • Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
  • If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you’re wet.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia:
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

 

Frostbite:
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and the Health Unit’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.pcchu.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391

December 13, 2017 – Alert Covers the City and County of Peterborough and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations

Weather Alert - COLD L1Peterborough Public Health has issued the first Frostbite Alert of the season because of forecasted wind chill values of -28 or lower from December 13 to 14. Temperatures are expected to rise above Frostbite Alert criteria during the late evening of Thursday, December 14, 2017

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.  Local social service agencies rely on Peterborough Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

 

What clothing should be worn outdoors?

Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.

….continued

 

Here are some useful tips:

  • Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
  • Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
  • If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you’re wet.

 

Cold related illnesses include:

 

Hypothermia:
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

 

Frostbite:
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and the Health Unit’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.pcchu.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391

 

While many of us can handle a cold spell, frostbite and other cold weather injuries are a real risk for young infants, the elderly, those with blood circulation conditions, and for people who don’t have stable housing.  Make sure you know the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia, and check in on anyone you know who may be vulnerable to extreme cold to ensure they are kept warm.

September 22, 2017 – Today Peterborough Public Health is issuing the second Heat Warning of the season.  Humidex values are expected to approach 40 on both Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24.  The unseasonably warm and humid conditions could persist into next week.

Peterborough Public Health will resume beach water testing at Rogeheat warning 2 daysrs Cove, Beavermead and Lakefield Beach this weekend, however water quality results won’t be received from the lab until Monday.  Residents with children are advised that splash pads are the safer option for cooling down this weekend until testing results are known. These will be posted at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

People suffer heat-related illnesses when their body temperature quickly rises and they are unable to cool themselves. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. If you feel faint, find it hard to breathe, or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

Please remember to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own, to make sure they are alright.

Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. This decreases your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.

Peterborough Public Health issues warnings for high heat or humidity that is expected to last two or more days.  Peterborough Public Health follows a provincial Harmonized Heat Warning and Information System for dealing with heat events affecting Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the City and County of Peterborough.

Peterborough Public Health staff will monitor this system to determine when the Medical Officer of Health should declare a heat warning or extended heat warning.  This coordinated provincial system provides a consistent approach for processing and issuing heat warnings in Ontario.  It also provides evidence-based heat warning triggers which are founded on the association between temperature, humidex and mortality.

Extreme heat events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, shut-ins, persons with chronic diseases, the morbidly obese and the marginally housed.  Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are preventable.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  Peterborough Public Health encourages you to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s website www.airqualityontario.com and plan outdoor activities accordingly.

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For further information, please contact:

Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285

June 12, 2017 – Today Peterborough Public Health is issuing the first Heat Warning of the season.  Temperatures are expected to reach near 31 degrees Monday with an overnight low near 20 degrees Monday night.  This current heatwave has been spreading across southern Ontario for more than two days and is expected to affect the Peterborough area today only.  Temperatures are expected to fall below heat alert criteria on Tuesday.

Heat Warning 2 DaysPeople suffer heat-related illnesses when their body temperature quickly rises and they are unable to cool themselves. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. If you feel faint, find it hard to breathe, or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

Please remember to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own, to make sure they are alright.

Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. This decreases your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.

Peterborough Public Health issues warnings for high heat or humidity that is expected to last two or more days.  Peterborough Public Health follows a provincial Harmonized Heat Warning and Information System for dealing with heat events affecting Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the City and County of Peterborough.

Peterborough Public Health staff will monitor this system to determine when the Medical Officer of Health should declare a heat warning or extended heat warning.  This coordinated provincial system provides a consistent approach for processing and issuing heat warnings in Ontario.  It also provides evidence-based heat warning triggers which are founded on the association between temperature, humidex and mortality.

Extreme heat events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, shut-ins, persons with chronic diseases, the morbidly obese and the marginally housed.  Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are preventable.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  Peterborough Public Health encourages you to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s website www.airqualityontario.com and plan outdoor activities accordingly.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285

August 8, 2016 – High Temperatures Expected August 9 to 12

Today Peterborough Public Health issued the fifth Heat Warning of the season.  The heat will arrive Tuesday August 9 and continue into the evening of Friday August 12.  Daytime temperatures are expected to be 31C or greater and minimum temperatures are expected to be near or above 22C providing very little overnight relief from the heat and humidity.  Humidex values will reach the upper 30s to low 40s each day during this heat event.

Peterborough Public Health recommends these tips for staying cool at home:

  • Keep blinds or drapes closed to block out the sun during the day
  • Make meals that don’t use an oven, especially if you don’t have air conditioning
  • Unplug electronics and turn off lights when not in use
  • Use fans properly:
    • Place fans in or next to a window to bring in the cooler air from outside or
    • Place a bowl of ice in front of fans to cool air

Please remember to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own, to make sure they are not showing signs of heat-related illness.  Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are preventable. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. If you feel faint, find it hard to breathe, or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

Peterborough Public Health issues warnings for high heat or humidity that is expected to last two or more days.  Peterborough Public Health follows a provincial Harmonized Heat Warning and Information System for dealing with heat events affecting Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the City and County of Peterborough.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  Peterborough Public Health encourages you to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s website www.airqualityontario.com and plan outdoor activities accordingly.

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For further information, please contact:

Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285

 

 

August 2, 2016 – High Temperatures Expected August 4 & 5

Today Peterborough Public Health issued the fourth Heat Warning of the season.  The heat will arrive during the day Thursday, August 4 and is expected to last until late Friday evening, August 5.

Peterborough Public Health recommends these tips for staying cool at home:

  • Keep blinds or drapes closed to block out the sun during the day
  • Make meals that don’t use an oven, especially if you don’t have air conditioning
  • Unplug electronics and turn off lights when not in use
  • Use fans properly:
    • Place fans in or next to a window to bring in the cooler air from outside or
    • Place a bowl of ice in front of fans to cool air

Please remember to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own, to make sure they are not showing signs of heat-related illness.  Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are preventable. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. If you feel faint, find it hard to breathe, or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

Peterborough Public Health issues warnings for high heat or humidity that is expected to last two or more days.  Peterborough Public Health follows a provincial Harmonized Heat Warning and Information System for dealing with heat events affecting Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the City and County of Peterborough.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  Peterborough Public Health encourages you to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s website www.airqualityontario.com and plan outdoor activities accordingly.

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For further information, please contact:

Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285

 

 

June 20, 2016 – Peterborough Public Health Issues Third Heat Warning

Today Peterborough Public Health issued the third Heat Warning of the season.  The heat will arrive during the day Thursday, July 21 with highs of 31°C to 33°C in most places.   Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 are also expected to be very warm, however, some areas could see some occasional relief due to the possibility of showers or thunderstorms.

Peterborough Public Health recommends these tips for staying cool at home:

  • Keep blinds or drapes closed to block out the sun during the day
  • Make meals that don’t use an oven, especially if you don’t have air conditioning
  • Unplug electronics and turn off lights when not in use
  • Use fans properly:
    • Place fans in or next to a window to bring in the cooler air from outside or
    • Place a bowl of ice in front of fans to cool air

Please remember to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own, to make sure they are not showing signs of heat-related illness.  Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are preventable. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. If you feel faint, find it hard to breathe, or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

Peterborough Public Health issues warnings for high heat or humidity that is expected to last two or more days.  Peterborough Public Health follows a provincial Harmonized Heat Warning and Information System for dealing with heat events affecting Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the City and County of Peterborough.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  Peterborough Public Health encourages you to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s website www.airqualityontario.com and plan outdoor activities accordingly.

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For further information, please contact:

Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285

 

 

 

 

July 11, 2016 – Today Peterborough Public Health is issuing the second Heat Warning of the season.  The heat will arrive during the day Tuesday, July 12 with highs of 30°C to 33°C in most places. Wednesday, July 13 and Thursday, July 14 are also expected to be very warm, however, some areas could see some occasional relief due to the possibility of showers or thunderstorms.

People suffer heat-related illnesses when their body temperature quickly rises and they are unable to cool themselves. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. If you feel faint, find it hard to breathe, or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

Please remember to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own, to make sure they are alright.

Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. This decreases your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.

Peterborough Public Health issues warnings for high heat or humidity that is expected to last two or more days.  Peterborough Public Health follows a provincial Harmonized Heat Warning and Information System for dealing with heat events affecting Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the City and County of Peterborough.

Peterborough Public Health staff will monitor this system to determine when the Medical Officer of Health should declare a heat warning or extended heat warning.  This coordinated provincial system provides a consistent approach for processing and issuing heat warnings in Ontario.  It also provides evidence-based heat warning triggers which are founded on the association between temperature, humidex and mortality.

Extreme heat events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, shut-ins, persons with chronic diseases, the morbidly obese and the marginally housed.  Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are preventable.

Extreme heat is often accompanied by poor air quality.  Peterborough Public Health encourages you to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change’s website www.airqualityontario.com and plan outdoor activities accordingly.

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For further information, please contact:
Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285

 

June 19, 2016 – Peterborough – Summer officially arrives on Monday, and Mother Nature is delivering weather to match the calendar. The most significant heat episode of the year is expected for much of Southern Ontario. Increasing heat over the past couple of days will peak Sunday and Monday with temperatures forecast to top off in the low to mid thirties. Overnight temperatures will also be warm Sunday night when readings are expected to be in the low twenties in many locales.

Later on Monday, an approaching cold front will herald the arrival of scattered showers and thunderstorms, followed by cooler conditions Monday night.

These hot conditions pose a health risk when you are not used to the heat.

While heat can put everyone at risk from heat illnesses, health risks are greatest for:
– older adults;
– infants and young children;
– people with chronic illnesses such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions or psychiatric illnesses;
– people who work in the heat;
– people who exercise in the heat;
– homeless people; and
– people without access to air conditioning.

Drink plenty of liquids especially water before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.

Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

For more information, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391