It’s hot! For people without a roof, it’s dangerous.

It’s hot! And If you find yourself in an urban area—like those who are homeless—where atmospheric conditions can be stagnant and the air quality poor, where asphalt and concrete store heat, keeping night-time temperatures high, creating something called the “heat island effect;” and if your health is already compromised from the effects of being homeless, you will be especially prone to developing heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke.

And today, Environment Canada has issued a humidex advisory, meaning, the relative humidity and temperature have escalated to where the human body begins to lose the ability to cool itself. So, staying hydrated is crucial, staying cool, is critical. But for the displaced, for those not welcome in malls or cafes, this is not always easy.

For people without a roof, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, are present dangers. So here’s to the Bissell Centre’s Mobil Assistance Plan, Boyle Street Outreach, Hope Mission Rescue Van, and other efforts, programs and agencies working to prevent crisis. And here’s a salute to all the intake workers who will be doing more rounds, walking the perimeters and the back lanes of shelters, and to the mobile crews who will be driving extended routes, taking care to watch for people in distress due to the heat.

And to those helping out with hats and sunglasses, and most importantly, with bottles of water, thank you!