City opens emergency cooling centres as hot weather sets in

The City of Ottawa has opened four community centres to provide people refugefrom the heat currently bearing down on the region.

The four emergency cooling centresare located at:

• The RonKolbusLakeside Centre,102GreenviewAve.
• St-Laurent Complex,525CotSt.
• Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre,3320 PaulAnkaDr.
• Sandy Hill Community Centre,250 Somerset St. E.

The cooling centres will be open on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and again on Wednesday and Thursdayfrom 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The four community centres have been closed since March due to COVID-19 restrictions. Other places where people tend to gather to beat the heat, such as shopping malls, remainclosed.

The city said the centresare set up forproper physical distancing, and users will have access to washrooms and water. Residents are asked to bring a cloth mask with them.

Environment Canada said daytime temperatures in the 30s and high humidex values are expected to last until Thursday.

High temperatures affect everyone, but Ottawa Public Health (OPH)is warningyoung children, pregnant women, older adults and people with chronic illnesses can be at particular risk.

OPH has a list of ways to keep safe during a heat wave:

• Drink plenty of waterbefore you get thirsty. Avoid drinking alcohol, coffee or sugary drinks.
• Wear light, loose and breathable clothingand a hat to shade yourself from the sun.
• Wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure when possible.
• Take breaks from the heat in air-conditioned places if possible.
• Take cool showers or baths to refresh yourself. Alternatively, use a sponge or a cloth with cool water.
• Do not leave pets, children or elderly peoplein a car, even with the windows down.
• Be extra cautious when doing outdoor physical activities. If you can, reschedule for a cooler part of the day.

The Western Qubec School Board announced this morning that all of its schools in theOutaouaiswill be closed on Wednesday.