You're getting warmer: what you need to know about heat alerts

Plaster on some sunscreen, get thesummer shades ready and make sure to check for any heatwarnings.

The Department of Health's heat alert and response system,HARSfor short,is in full swing, aiming to keep New Brunswickers informed about extreme heat on the way.

• Heat alert system launched for province's municipalities

The number ofheatalertswill varyfrom year to year. The province has already used the system this year, despite what may have seemed a coolish start to thewarm weather season.

The maximum number ofheatalertsissued last year in any region was 10, in the St. Stephen area. Fredericton was next, with eight alerts.

"As extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, it is important that we inform New Brunswickers so they can take appropriate precautions when necessary," said Dr. Jennifer Russell, acting chief medical officer of health in a statement.

People most vulnerable and at risk because ofextreme heat are young children and older adults, the homeless and people whosocially isolated.

People with chronic health conditionsand using certain medications are also at risk.

How it works

New Brunswick municipalities that participate in the system, will receive a warning on theDepartment of Health's Facebook page,Twitter account @NBHealthor the governmentwebsite.

Areas that are part of this system include the Fredericton, Moncton, Bathurst, Saint John, Edmundston, Miramichi, St. Stephen and Sussex areas.

"With climate change, it is predicted thatheatwaves will be more numerous and hotter than in the past," saidGeneviveMallet-Chiasson, a spokesperson for the Health Department."Following a successful pilot project in Fredericton, the decision was made to expand the system to the rest of the province."

The system includes three levelsthat are based on the humidex value,which is used to describe how the temperature actually feelsby combining the effect of heat and humidity.

• Heat alert level 1: When a heat alert is at level one, the humidex is between 35 to 39. This means that vulnerable people can be affected.
• High heat alert level 2: The humidex forecast is in between 40 to 44 for one day or longer. The province says everyone is at an increased risk of heat stress and heat stroke. These are people living alone without air conditional, especially if the heat wave lasts for several days.
• Extreme heat alert level 3: The humidex forecast is greater than 45 for one day or longer. This is the highest level and everyone is at high risk.