Toronto: Heat Alert upgraded to Extreme Heat Alert, cooling centres open

Heat Alert upgraded to Extreme Heat Alert, cooling centres open Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, has upgraded the Heat Alert to an Extreme Heat Alert for today. The Extreme Heat Alert will be in effect until further notice.During an Extreme Heat Alert, the public is encouraged to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially isolated adults and seniors who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness, to make sure they are cool and drinking plenty of fluids. In addition to using air-conditioned shopping malls, local libraries and neighbourhood community centres as places to cool off, the public can go to cooling centres that will be open during the Extreme Heat Alert at the following locations:• Metro Hall - 55 John St. (24 hours)• East York Civic Centre - 850 Coxwell Ave. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)• North York Civic Centre - 5100 Yonge St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)• Driftwood Community Centre - 4401 Jane St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)• Etobicoke Olympium - 590 Rathburn Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)• McGregor Community Centre - 2231 Lawrence Ave. E. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)• Centennial Park Community Centre - 1967 Ellesmere Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)Water and snacks are available at the seven cooling centres. Additional information on ways to help people cool off is available at: http://www.toronto.ca/housing/cooling-centres.htm.Landlords of buildings without air conditioning are encouraged to provide a dedicated cooling room for residents to escape the heat. Community agencies are encouraged to educate clients on the risks of heat-related illness and to call or check those clients at increased risk of heat-related illness during alerts. When an alert is declared, those who need assistance or have heat-related inquiries may call the Canadian Red Cross Heat Information Line at 416-480-2615 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.Often high air pollution occurs during hot weather conditions. People with heart and lung conditions, seniors and children should pay special attention to the hourly Air Quality Health Index levels and forecasts available at http://www.airhealth.ca.Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.