Heat advisory issued for southern Quebec

Montreal public health officials are warning people to stay out of the heat over the next couple of days while parts of southern Quebec are under a heat warning.

Environment Canada issued a heat advisory Tuesday afternoon at around 3:30 p.m., and it is expected to remain in effect until Thursday.

The heat warnings were issued forMontreal, Vaudreuil-Soulanges,Huntingdon, theRichelieu Valley,St-Hyacinthe, the Laurentians, Lanaudire and Gatineau.

"On Thursday, we're expecting a high of 33 C, and with the humidity it will feel like 40 or 41," said CBC Montreal weather specialist Frank Cavallaro.

Officials with the Montreal Public Health Agency are urging peopleespecially those with respiratory or cardiovascular problemsto avoid strenuous physical activity and to stay indoors for several hours.

"The most effective measures to protect yourself from adverse effects from the heat are to spend a few hours a day in a cool place, ideally air-conditioned, to drink a lot of water and to reduce your level of physical activity," said Dr Richard Mass, director of the Montreal Public Health Agency.

Symptoms of dehydration or heat stroke include fatigue, dizziness or sudden discomfort.

Mass also recommends people check in with seniors who live aloneand keep an eye on children.

"We cannot stress enough the importance to never leave young children alone in a vehicle not even for a few minutes."

Anyone with health-related concerns can callInfo-Santat811.