Toronto Public Health shares tips to help you keep cool and avoid heat-related illness this summer

As the weather gets warmer and festival and event season arrives, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is sharing advice to help residents and visitors keep cool and stay safe throughout the summer season.

Extreme heat poses significant health risks to people of any age including heat stress, heat stroke and even death. Vulnerable populations such as infants and young children, older adults, those with certain health conditions, people who work or spend a lot of time outdoors and people experiencing homelessness are at increased risk.

Heat-related illness is preventable. Tips for staying safe during hot weather include:

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water regularly and before feeling thirsty.
• Wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
• Avoid direct sun exposure. Stay in the shade or use an umbrella.
• Plan or reschedule outdoor activities during cooler hours like early morning or the evening.
• Close curtains or blinds during the day to block out the sun and open windows when it’s cooler outside than it is inside.
• Use a fan to bring in air from outside during cooler times of the day. Take cool showers or use cool, wet towels to reduce your body temperature.
• Check on others, especially older adults living alone or those at higher risk from the effects of heat to make sure they’re staying cool and hydrated.
• Never leave anyone including children, older adults and pets in a parked car. Always check before locking the doors.
• Know the signs of heat-related illness. Watch for dizziness, nausea, headache, extreme tiredness, weakness or fainting. If someone experiences any of these symptoms, immediately move them to a cool place and give them liquids to stay hydrated. Water is best.
• Call 911 if someone is experiencing confusion or is unconscious due to heat, or is unable to sweat during hot weather. These are symptoms of heat stroke which is an emergency.

More information and tips for preventing heat-related illness can also be found on the City’s Keep Cool website.

Finding a Cool Space
To help ensure the safety and well-being of the public during the hot weather season, the City of Toronto activates its Heat Relief Strategy from May 15 to September 30 each year.

As part of the strategy, the Heat Relief Network provides access to more than 500 Cool Spaces across the city including libraries, community centres and pools so people can seek relief from the heat. An interactive map of Cool Spaces is available on the City’s Cool Spaces website.

The following opening dates for pools, wading pools and splash pads will provide residents with more options for staying cool during hot weather:

• Saturday, May 17: More than 140 splash and spray pads opened for the season.
• Saturday, June 14: Early opening of 15 outdoor pools on evening and weekend schedules.
• Saturday, June 21: Remaining 49 outdoor pools open on an evening and weekend partial schedule.
• Friday, June 27: All outdoor pools and wading pools open on a full schedule.

Air conditioners for low-income seniors
This summer, the City has a pilot program to provide 500 free portable air conditioners to low-income seniors living in multi-unit residential buildings (three or more storeys) with health-related cooling needs.

The program is open to residents after 65 years of age or older as of December 31, 2025, who belong to a low-income household as determined by the Statistics Canada Low-Income Measurement and who do not currently have access to an air conditioning unit or in-suite cooling.

Applications for the Air Conditioning (A/C) Assistance program opened on Monday, May 26 and close on Friday, June 6.

More information, including eligibility criteria, is on the City’s website.

About Heat Warnings
Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issues Heat Warnings when there is a forecast of:

• Two or more consecutive days of 31 degrees Celsius or warmer (daytime) and 20 degrees Celsius or warmer (night); or,
• Two or more consecutive days with humidex values of 40 or higher.

Events lasting for three consecutive days or more are classified as Extended Heat Warnings.

Stay up to date on heat and extended heat warnings by visiting the ECCC website.

Health risks of climate change
Like many cities around the world, Toronto is experiencing more frequent heat events and extended heat waves outside of seasonal norms. As the climate continues to change, the risks of heat-related health impacts are expected to increase.

The City’s Heat Relief Strategy is a protocol for hot weather response that aims to reduce the incidence of heat-related illness and death due to extreme heat. More information is on the City’s website.

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