Homeless people are among the most susceptible to illness or death in a heat wave.
Without access to hours of air conditioning, reliable shelter, or showers to cool down in, they are at risk of sunstroke, burns, and heat exhaustion. With this in mind, Chilliwack’s Ruth and Naomi’s Mission is running a cooling centre beginning on Wednesday. Executive director Bill Radditz says they plan to keep the centre open until Friday, but will evaluate the situation on a day-to-day basis.
The cooling centre will run from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. for at least those three days.
We will offer air conditioned room and provide water as needed,” Radditz says. “This is in addition to our normal morning services where we offer snacks, showers, clothing and laundry service.”
The afternoon service is just the basic cooling room with water, similar to how a warming centre was provided during sub-zero temperatures in the winter.
Fraser Health says one of the most important things to do in a heat wave is to seek out air-conditioned shelter for at least a few hours a day, to take cool showers, and stay hydrated. The temperature is forecasted to hit highs close to 40 degrees later this week.
Other at risk populations include young children, the elderly who arehousebound in un-air-conditioned homes, those working or exercising in the heat, persons with chronic heart and lung conditions, persons withmental illness, and people living alone in un-air-conditioned homes.
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jpeters@theprogress.com
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