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What to do during extreme heat

Extreme heat

Calgary’s summers are getting increasingly hotter and drier. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) defines extreme heat as temperatures reaching 29°C during the day and 14°C overnight for two consecutive days with no relief overnight.

Extreme heat can put your health at risk, causing illnesses like heat stroke and even death. There are steps you can take to get prepared for extreme heat events. 

How to prepare

  • Keep your home as cool as possible by:
    • Installing window coverings such as blinds, curtains, or shades
    • Adding or replacing weather stripping around doors and windows
    • Improving insulation to reduce heat entering your home
    • Using fans or installing air conditioning, if possible
  • Gather essential supplies, such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries, medications, and other items to get through the first few days of an emergency.
  • Create an emergency action plan for your household. Be sure to include your pets in your plan.
  • Review your insurance coverage to understand what is covered under your policy. Contact your provider with any questions.
  • Stay informed by downloading the WeatherCAN and Alberta Emergency Alert apps and signing up for local alerts.

What to do during

  • Take breaks in the shade or if you’re working or exercising outside.
  • Keep your home cool by closing curtains during the hottest part of the day.
  • Drink water regularly throughout the day to stay hydrated.
  • Wear lightweight clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to help protect yourself from the sun.
  • Visit air-conditioned public spaces such as malls, libraries or recreation centres, malls to get temporary respite from the heat.
  • Stay refreshed by visiting a spray park. For more information, visit calgary.ca/sprayparks.
  • Never leave people or pets unattended in a parked vehicle. Temperatures inside can rise quickly and become life-threatening.
  • Check on family members, friends, and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to the heat, including older adults, infants, and people with health conditions.
  • Make sure pets have access to plenty of water and shade.
  • Watch for signs of heat-related illness, including dizziness, headache, nausea, and extreme fatigue

Cooling locations

Cooling locations are publicly available indoor locations open their normal business hours where individuals can visit for a temporary respite from the heat. All listed locations have either an indoor water fountain or an indoor water bottle filling station. 

Check out places to cool down near you:

N.E. locations

Location Address
Location: Country Hills Library Address:

11950 Country Village Link N.E.
Location:

Dashmesh Culture Centre (1 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

 Address:

135 Gurdwara Sahib Blvd N.E.
Location: Renfrew Aquatic & Rec. Centre Address:

810 13 Ave. N.E.
Location: Saddletown Library Address:

7556 Falconridge Blvd N.E.
Location: Saddletown YMCA Address:

180 – 7556 Falconridge Blvd N.E.
Location: Village Square Library Address:

2623 56 St. N.E.

N.W. locations

Location Address
Location: Bowness Library Address:

6532 Bowness Rd. N.W.
Location: CF Market Mall Address:

3625 Shaganappi Tr. N.W.
Location: Crowfoot Library Address:

8665 Nose Hill Dr. N.W.
Location: Judith Umbach Library Address:

6617 Centre St. N.W
Location: Louise Riley Library Address:

1904 14 Ave. N.W.
Location: Nose Hill Library Address:

1530 Northmount Dr. N.W.
Location: Rocky Ridge Library Address:

11300 Rocky Ridge Rd. N.W.
Location: Sage Hill Library Address:

19 Sage Hill Passage N.W.
Location: Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge Address:

11300 Rocky Ridge Rd. N.W.
Location: Thornhill Aquatic & Rec. Centre Address:

6715 Centre St. N.W

S.E. locations

Location Address
Location: Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton Address:

4995 Market St. S.E.
Location: Calgary Soccer Center Address:

7000 48 St. S.E.
Location: Cardel Rec. South Address:

100 - 333 Shawville Blvd S.E.
Location: Central Library Address:

800 3 St. S.E.
Location: CF Chinook Mall Address:

6455 Macleod Trail S.E.
Location: Fish Creek Library Address:

11161 Bonaventure Dr. S.E.
Location: Forest Lawn Library Address:

4807 8 Ave. S.E.
Location: Quarry Park Library Address:

108 Quarry Park Rd. S.E.
Location: Remington YMCA at Quarry Park Address:

108 Quarry Park Rd. S.E.
Location: Seton Library Address:

4995 Market St. S.E.
Location: Shawnessy Library Address:

333 Shawville Blvd S.E.
Location: Shawnessy YMCA Address:

400 – 333 Shawville Blvd S.E.

S.W. locations

Location Address
Location: Giuffre Family Library Address:

3223 14 St. S.W.
Location: Killarney Aquatic & Rec. Centre Address:

1919 29 St. S.W.
Location: Memorial Park Library Address:

1221 2 St. S.W.
Location: Nicholls Family Library Address:

1421 33 St. S.W.
Location: Rose Kohn & Jimmy Condon Arenas Address:

502 Heritage Dr. S.W.
Location: Signal Hill Library Address:

5994 Signal Hill Ct. S.W.
Location: Southland Leisure Centre Address:

2000 Southland Dr. S.W.
Location: Southwood Library Address:

924 Southland Dr. S.W.

What to do after

  • Refurbish and outfit your home for the next extreme heat season.
  • If you experience severe symptoms from extreme heat, consult a healthcare professional for guidance on managing your health.
  • Check on neighbours, friends and older family members, especially those who are more susceptible to health issues during heat events. 

Related links

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See more types of emergencies in Calgary