A heat wave will sweep through Quebec starting this Tuesday with temperatures feeling over 40. Visit water games, air-conditioned places and stay well hydrated: to face the coming days, Montreal recommends that its citizens refresh yourself as often as possible.
At La Fontaine Park on Monday, parents and children were already taking advantage of the water games to escape the stifling heat that had begun to set in late in the afternoon.
A few hours earlier, Environment Canada had issued a heat warning for the regions of Montreal, Capitale-Nationale, Outaouais, Abitibi, Laurentides, Lanaudière, Montérégie, Estrie and of Central Quebec.
“Maximum temperatures between 30 and 35°C followed by nighttime minimums above 20°C are expected. Humidex values will exceed 40 in the afternoon Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The heat and humidity will decrease starting Friday,” the federal agency warned.
An end to classes marked by heat
With such extreme heat forecast, parents are pleased that schools have taken precautions to get through the coming days.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
At La Fontaine Park on Monday, the stifling heat had begun to set in late in the afternoon.
“I hope it goes well. Wednesday and Thursday [les groupes de l’école primaire de ma fille] go to water games, so that’s good,” explains Alexandra Lichtiger Langouet as she supervises her children running through the park’s jets.
Noémie Girard is the mother of a child in 2e primary year. Even though her child’s school is not air-conditioned, she was reassured by the measures taken by management: “They canceled certain outings, bought new fans and favored activities in the shade and quiet, so it’s OK. »
“We make sure that recess and time spent outside is as shaded as possible. Students can remain indoors depending on the situation,” indicated the Montreal School Service Center.
Teenagers are less fortunate. With only a few days left in the school year, parents are concerned about the lack of air conditioning in schools during the ministerial exam period.
“We are enormously [inquiets] in relation to concentration,” says Isabelle Pagé, mother of a child in the first year of secondary school. The latter’s school is not air-conditioned, but there are fans in the classrooms.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Better to prioritize activities in the shade for the next few days.
Quebec wants to be reassuring. “All of the exams scheduled for this week will take place in the morning, so that they take place during the coolest periods of the day,” assures Esther Chouinard, press relations manager for the Quebec Ministry of Education.
Montreal is preparing
The City reminds citizens that several refreshment places are open to welcome them during this heat period. In all, 184 water games, around forty indoor pools and 25 outdoor pools, as well as several misters, will be accessible across the metropolis.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
To face the coming days, Montreal recommends that its citizens cool off as often as possible.
Municipal authorities strongly encourage the population to take advantage of these facilities in the coming days, as well as the libraries, which are air-conditioned.
Despite the oppressive heat, municipal authorities will not open heat centers until the extreme heat criteria are reached, i.e. three consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 33 degrees or two consecutive nights with temperatures higher than 25 degrees.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Humidex values will exceed 40 in the afternoon Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
“However, civil security is mobilized and monitors the situation on a regular basis,” explains Philippe Sabourin, spokesperson for the City of Montreal.
Hot for construction workers
Construction workers who work outdoors are also extremely at risk from the consequences of this heat wave. “Often, we take it lightly, but every year or almost, there are deaths [sur les chantiers] », deplores Félix Ferland, vice-president and head of health and safety at CSN-Construction.
“It’s really miserable, finding water on a construction site, and some construction sites don’t even have air-conditioned trailers, so we can understand that it becomes excessively hot for the workers,” explains Mr. Ferland.
It is therefore recommended that workers on construction sites do not wait before hydrating and do not hesitate to take their breaks to refresh themselves.
Respite for people on the streets
People experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to heat waves.
“It increases the risk of accidental overdoses, when we mix a cocktail of heat, consumption, whether drugs or alcohol,” says Marie-Pier Therrien, director of communications for the Old Brewery Mission. The organization also offers services 24/7 in air-conditioned locations where these people can come and cool off.
The City also affirms that its specialized intervention team for this vulnerable population will patrol with “increased vigilance”.
“We will also [les] support by distributing bottles of water,” says Philippe Sabourin.
What to do during a heat episode?
Public health authorities recommend that Quebecers avoid overheating their homes by minimizing the use of appliances such as ovens, dryers and light fixtures, and by keeping curtains and windows closed during the day. Avoid exhausting yourself by reducing your physical efforts, prioritize light clothing made from breathable fabric and wear a head covering. Stay in touch with loved ones, especially the elderly, who are more vulnerable to heat. Your pets feel the heat too; remember to think about their comfort during this time.