|
|
This section of our Web site provides information sent to the media, including media releases, public service announcements, and media advisories. This information covers a wide-range of public health topics, from beach closures and boil water advisories to community clinics and special events.
To find out more, click on the menu at the left hand side of this page.
First seasonal Level 1 Heat Alert issued for KFL&A area
Release Date: 15-Jul-2011
KFL&A Public Health is issuing a Level 1 Heat Alert to residents of the KFL&A area with the forecast of hot, humid weather continuing through this weekend and into early next week. A Level 1 Heat Alert is issued when temperatures or humidex are forecast to be 36°C for two or more consecutive days. KFL&A Public Health has adopted a series of extreme heat thresholds designed to advise the public, health professionals, and community partner agencies on appropriate measures they can take to reduce the health effects of hot, humid, and smoggy weather.
“Warm summer temperatures put stress on the body’s ability to stay cool,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “Perspiration increases to help to maintain constant body temperature. This process results in a loss of body fluids, which can lead to dehydration over a long period if fluid is not replaced. Furthermore, high humidity reduces the effectiveness of cooling though perspiration and increases the risk of becoming overheated. These two factors combined with the heat of the sun can lead to health consequences, unless proper precautions are taken.”
A Level 1 Heat Alert reminds residents to avoid physical exertion during the heat of the day and to drink plenty of fluids. Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are preventable. Most healthy people can tolerate a short period of hot and humid weather as long as they stay cool and drink plenty of fluids. While extreme heat can put everyone at risk from heat-related illnesses, health risks are greatest for older adults, infants and younger children, people with chronic illnesses (including breathing difficulties, heart conditions , or mental health illnesses), homeless people, low-income earners, people with disabilities, and people who work or exercise in the heat.
“KFL&A Public Health monitors forecasted weather conditions as provided by Environment Canada and Air Quality Ontario,” said Adrienne Hansen-Taugher, manager, emergency preparedness with KFL&A Public Health. “We issue heat advisories when we recognize the likely potential that a heat threshold will be reached within the next 24 to 48 hours, activating the extreme heat health response plan.” A Level 1 Heat Alert reminds residents to seek relief from the hot, humid weather in a number of air conditioned public places and establishments, operating under normal business hours, including:
Public Libraries
For individual branch hours, see the Kingston Frontenac Public Library website www.kfpl.ca or Lennox & Addington County Branch Libraries website www.lennox-addington.on.ca:- Amherstview—322 Amherst Drive, Amherstview
- Calvin Park—88 Wright Crescent, Kingston
- Cloyne—1011 Little Pond Road
- Central—130 Johnson Street, Kingston
- Isabel Turner—935 Gardiners Road, Kingston
- Kingscourt—115 Kirkpatrick Street, Kingston
- Mountain Grove—1455 Mountain Grove Road
- Napanee—25 River Road, Napanee
- Parham—1021 Long Lake Road, Parham
- Pittsburgh—80 Gore Road, Kingston
- Sharbot Lake—1037 Robert Street, Sharbot Lake
- South Fredericksburgh—2478 Country Road #8
- Sydenham—4432 George Street, Sydenham
- Tamworth—1 Ottawa Street, Tamworth
- Wolfe Island—10 Hwy. 95, Wolfe Island
Shopping Malls
Hours of operation for shopping malls differ from location to location. Please contact malls directly for specific hours of operation- Cataraqui Town Centre—945 Gardiners Road, Kingston
- Frontenac Mall—1300 Bath Road, Kingston
- Napanee Mall—450 Centre Street, Napanee
COOL DOWN HERE initiative sites linked on Google Map - COOL DOWN HERE
Municipal Public Swimming Pools
Price of admission for municipal public swimming pools differs from location to location. Please contact pools directly for specific admission fees:- Outdoor Aquatic Centre – 303 York Street, Kingston, (613) 546 4291 ext. 1991 (7 days a week from 11:30 am – 8 pm, June 25 – September 5)
- Artillery Park Aquatic Centre—76 Ordnance Street, Kingston, (613) 546 7998 (7 days a week from 2-4 pm, July 2 – September 4)
- The Greater Napanee Indoor Pool – 113 Richmond Boulevard, Napanee. For hours call (613) 354 4423.
Municipal Public Wading Pools
Open for season on July 1, 2011. Last day of season August 31, 2011. Open if weather permitting.- McBurney Park Wading Pool - McBurney Park, 176 Ordnance Street, Kingston, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Victoria Park Wading Pool – Victoria Park, 487 Brock Street, Kingston, 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Municipal Public Splash Pads
Open for season on May 21. Last day of season September 5, 2011. Open if weather permitting.- City Park Splash Pad – City Park, 33 Bagot Street, Kingston, 9 a.m. until dusk
- Memorial Centre Splash Pad, 303 York Street, Kingston, 9 a.m. until dusk
- Ronald Lavallee Park Splash Pad - Ronald Lavallee Memorial Kiwanis Park, 53 Fourth Avenue, Kingston, 9 a.m. until dusk
- Shannon Park Splash Pad – Shannon Park, 199 Wilson Street, Kingston (entrance and parking on Wilson Street, off Weller Avenue), 9 a.m. until dusk
 Contact
Information
Kris Millan
Manager
CQI & Central Resources
KFL&A Public Health
613-549-1232, ext. 1262
| | |
|