Wednesday's hot and humid weather has prompted the city's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown to upgrade the Heat Alert to an Extreme Heat Alert.

During an Extreme Heat Alert, people are advised to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially isolated adults and seniors who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness, to make sure they are okay. Other groups at risk include people with chronic and pre-existing illnesses, infants and young children, people on certain medications and those who are marginally housed or homeless.

In addition to using air conditioned public places such as shopping malls, local libraries and neighbourhood community centres as places to cool off, City Cooling Centres are open during Extreme Heat Alerts for those in need.

List of City's Cooling Centres:

Centennial Recreation Centre
1967 Ellesmere Road
(Ellesmere west of Markham)
Open: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Driftwood Community Centre
4401 Jane Street
(Jane north of Finch)
Open: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

East York Civic Centre
850 Coxwell Avenue
(Coxwell and Mortimer)
Open: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Etobicoke Olympium
590 Rathburn Road
(Rathburn west of Renforth)
Open: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

McGregor Community Centre
2231 Lawrence Avenue East
(Lawrence east of Birchmount)
Open: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Metro Hall
55 John Street
(John and King)
Open: 24 hours

North York Civic Centre
5100 Yonge Street
(Yonge and Sheppard)
Open: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Water and snacks will be available at the seven cooling centres. Additional information on ways to help people cool off is available at: http://www.toronto.ca/housing/cooling-centres.htm.

Members of the public are also advised to “beat the heat” by taking these precautions:

• Drink lots of cool water even before you feel thirsty

• Take cool showers or baths or use cool, wet towels to cool down

• Wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing and when outdoors wear a wide-brimmed hat

• Avoid the sun and stay in the shade or use an umbrella

• Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day

• Never leave seniors, children or pets unattended in a car.

Landlords of buildings without air conditioning are encouraged to provide a dedicated cooling room for residents to escape the heat. Community agencies are encouraged to educate clients on the risks of heat-related illness and to call or check those clients at increased risk of heat-related illness during alerts.                                                      

The Extreme Heat Alert will remain in effect until further notice.