DIVERSEcity’s Beat the Heat initiative shares important summer safety information with its seniors and other community members
Although summer officially arrived on June 20, summer temperatures are just now rising, and we’re expecting some very warm days this July. DIVERSEcity’s Beat the Heat initiative is aimed to keep the community, especially seniors, safe during the hot summer months.
This week, we handed out Beat the Heat tipsheets and care packages to some of the seniors we serve at a gettogether at Bear Creek Park. The kits included DIVERSEcity water bottles, sunglasses, fans and more, purchased with a #4onebyone grant from 4imprint.
Tarana Kaur, Seniors Services Coordinator, reviewed the following important summer safety information with the energetic group:
- Drink water. Stay hydrated. Don’t wait to drink water until you are already thirsty.
- Dress for the weather. Wear lightweight clothing, wide-brim hats and sunglasses.
- Wear sunscreen. Reapply as needed.
- Find shade and stay out of the sun (especially from 10 am – 6 pm)!
- Find cool shelter in libraries, shopping malls and recreation and community centres.
- Cool off at an outdoor pool, splash park or beach!
- Plan and prepare for a heat wave ahead of time to help keep you safe!
- Be aware of skin rashes, dizziness, headaches, muscle cramps and other heat-related illnesses.
- Check in others regularly, including seniors and those who are unable to leave their homes.
- Reach out for medical attention. Phone 9-1-1 for emergencies, 8-1-1 for health-related questions, and 2-1-1 to connect with other services.
While some tips were well known to the group, other tips such as finding cool shelter in libraries, recreation and community centres were welcome information.
More Beat the Heat packages were also handed out to migrant workers under our C.A.R.E. for Migrant Workers Program (photo below).
Our C.A.R.E. partner organization delivered the care kits, tip sheets and other goodies to migrant workers on rural agricultural farms to help them through the summer heat.
To everyone in the community, please enjoy the summer weather responsibly, and please make sure to check in on your family, friends and neighbours.
Our Beat the Heat tip sheets are available in English, Punjabi and Spanish for free download.
In addition to our tips, they also include QR codes to community information and cooling stations from Surrey, Delta and Langley.