Public Service Announcement
Langley City, BC – The City of Langley is helping residents stay cool during this unprecedented heatwave by expanding spray park hours from 8 am to 9 pm. All park washrooms and dog parks have running water, and some community organizations have opened their doors to community members to seek reprieve from the extreme heat.
The City of Langley Library and Timms Community Centre is air-conditioned and open to the public with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Timms Community Centre is open Monday to Friday: 6:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturdays: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, and is closed Sundays & holidays, and the City of Langley Library hours of operation are Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 6 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm, and closed for statutory holidays. Residents who need a break from the heat are encouraged to visit our facility located at 20399 Douglas Crescent.
The Gateway of Hope has opened its doors and has been providing water, freezies, baseball hats, and Gatorade to community members. If you can donate any extreme weather supplies, please feel free to drop them off at 5787 Langley Bypass.
Tips to Stay Safe and Beat the Heat:
- Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place.
- Make your home as comfortable as possible:
- Close blinds and shutters during the daytime and open them at night. If it’s safe to do so, open your windows at night to let in cooler air. If you have children in your home, make sure you’ve taken precautions to prevent falls from windows and balconies.
- Air conditioning can help keep rooms cool. Do not over-cool and remember that circulation of fresh air is important to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
- If you do not have air-conditioning, take shelter in the coolest room in your home and use a fan. Blowing a fan across a pan of ice water can create a cool breeze.
- Cool showers and misting yourself and your clothing with cool water will help keep you from overheating.
- Check on older family, friends and neighbours to inquire if they are cool and drinking water.
- Schedule outdoor activities only during the coolest time of the day avoiding 10 am to 2 pm when temperatures are the highest.
- If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of non-alcoholic fluids each hour. Limit outdoor activity during the day to early morning and evening.
- Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle during warm weather.
- Ask a health professional how medications or health conditions can affect your risk in the heat.
- Seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, swimming pool, shower/bath, or air-conditioned spot, but be mindful to avoid crowded spaces and maintain a 2-metre distance from others.
Check on others:
People living alone are at high risk of severe heat-related illness. Check-in regularly for signs of heat-related illness amongst those who live alone, particularly older people, those with mental illness or those who are unable to leave their homes that do not have air conditioners.
Watch for the symptoms of heat illness:
- Dizziness/fainting
- Nausea/vomiting
- Rapid breathing and heartbeat
- Extreme thirst
- Decreased urination with unusually dark urine
- Confusion or changes in behaviour
- High body temperature
- Lack of coordination
If you think someone might have heat stroke, call 9-1-1. If you need to talk to a nurse, call the Fraser Health Virtual Care line at 1-800-314-0999 from 10 am to 10 pm daily or 8-1-1 anytime.
Media Contact:
Samantha Paulson
Communications Officer
City of Langley
604-514-2823
spaulson@langleycity.ca