Take the following precautions during a heat wave, in order to reduce health risks:

• Drink lots of water before you feel thirsty.
• Spend a few hours a day in an air-conditionned or cool location.
• Take a cool shower or bath or cool your skin with a damp cloth.
• Reduce your physical efforts.
• Wear light-couloured clothing.
• Drink alcoholic beverages, beverages with a high caffeine content or high sugary content in moderation, as they dehydrate you.

You may also receive text messages or emails if you subscribe to our Notices and Alerts service to inform you of any changes.

Find an indoor or outdoor facility near you:

• Neighbourhood parks, nature parks and large parks
• Swimming pools, wading pools, beaches, mist stations and play fountains
• Libraries
• Air-conditioned places

• If you don’t have access to air conditioning close to home, or if you have difficulty getting around, here are a few tips for your home:
• Avoid using heat-generating appliances (stove, oven, dryer, TV, lights, etc.).
• Close windows, curtains, blinds and doors during the day. Air your home out in the evening, at night or early in the morning.
• Circulate air with portable or ceiling fans.
• Use the technique of placing a frozen water bottle in front of a fan to diffuse cooler air.

During a heat wave, your health could degrade rapidly. Call Info-Santé at 811 or talk to a health care professional if you have these symptoms. 

• Exhaustion (fatigue)
• Dehydration (dry mouth)
• Redness or rash on the skin
• Headaches
• Dizziness (lightheadedness)
• Confusion

Avoid heat stroke

If you have these symptoms and are also feverish, you may be experiencing heat stroke. This is a medical emergency. Call 911 to get help quickly.

Vulnerable people

The following people are at higher during a heat wave:

• People who are 65 or older.
• People living with chronic conditions.
• People living with mental health conditions or with alcohol or drug addiction.
• People who work outdoors or near a heat source.
• Children younger than 4 years old. 

Look out for your loved ones and neighbours

During a heat wave, take a few minutes, on a regular basis, to look out for the well-being of your loved ones and the people in your neighbourhood who are more isolated.

During the summer months, the city monitors the situation closely and activates its special response plan according to weather forecasts. Montréal works in close collaboration with the regional public health authority (Direction régionale de santé publique – DRSPfor the safety of its most vulnerable citizens.