Too Hot? – Town of Halton Hills has Cooling Centres

The Town of Halton Hills wishes to remind residents that in the event the Region of Halton issues a “Heat Alert” or if you are suffering from the heat, the Town has designated cooling centres throughout Halton Hills for your relief. Please see attached for details.

“We want our residents to know that they have cool, safe places to go to escape from the heat.” says Mayor Rick Bonnette. “We have been in touch with community service providers to inform them of the Towns’ Cooling Centres as they deal first-hand with the people who may be most vulnerable”.

During periods of hot weather conditions, particularly when humidity levels are high, the body works extra hard just to maintain a normal temperature. Some medical conditions that can result from exposure to high temperatures include:

Heat Cramps
These are painful spasms usually in the leg and stomach muscles and usually accompanied by heavy sweating. They can be alleviated by moving to a cooler place and lightly massaging and stretching the affected muscles. People experiencing heat cramps should also sip up to half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes.

Heat Exhaustion
During heat exhaustion, a person may be sweating heavily, but their skin may be cool, pale or flushed. Other symptoms are a weak pulse, fainting, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion and headaches. Body temperature may be normal but it will likely rise. People suffering from heat exhaustion should lie down in a cool place, loosen or remove clothing and put on cool wet clothes. They should sip water slowly, about half a glass every 15 minutes. Water should be discontinued if they are nauseated. They should seek immediate medical attention if vomiting occurs.

Heat Stroke (also called Sun Stroke)
This is a severe medical. Body temperature is high (103° F or 39.4° C) as opposed to normal body temperature of 98.5° F or 37° C, the pulse is strong and rapid, and breathing is shallow and rapid. The person suffering heat stroke may be experiencing throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, have red, hot and dry skin (not sweating), and may become unconscious. This person should be taken to a hospital as quickly as possible. Delay can be fatal. En route, keep the person as cool as possible by removing clothing and sponging with cool water.

Heat can also aggravate other conditions such as:

• Heart disease, especially high blood pressure

• Kidney disorders

• Psychiatric disorders

During a heat wave, everyone is at risk, but some groups are more vulnerable than others. Those most at risk include older adults (65+), infants and young children, and the chronically ill, including people with asthma.

The public is advised to "Beat the Heat" by taking these precautions:

• Drink lots of water and natural fruit juices

• Stay out of the blazing sun or heat. UV rays are strongest between the hours of 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.

• Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors, including gardening and lawn maintenance

• Go to places that are air conditioned, including shopping malls, libraries, community centres and movie theatres

• The temperature inside of a car is even higher than the temperatures outside. Never leave children, older adults or pets unattended in a car, even for a short period of time

If you experience symptoms of heat-induced illness, such as cramping in your arms, legs or stomach, rapid breathing, weakness or fainting, headache and/or confusion, seek medical attention right away. Also, check with your pharmacist to see if your medication has any side effects during extreme heat.
During a heat alert, please take a moment to call or visit family and neighbours who may be at risk. We need to ensure the safety of all residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable to the extreme weather.

TOWN OF HALTON HILLS – COOLING CETNRES

Residents who do not have air conditioning can find relief in Town facilities, such as recreation centres or either branch of the Halton Hills Public Library. During periods of declared heat alert, these facilities will be open during their standard business hours as places of refuge for persons to seek relief from the heat. Please call the facility for their operating hours:

Mold-Masters SportsPlex – 221 Guelph Street, Georgetown, 905-877-8488

Acton Arena & Community Centre – 415 Queen Street, Acton, 519-853-0020

Halton Hills Cultural Centre & Library (Georgetown Branch) – 224 Maple Avenue, Georgetown, 905-873-2681

Halton Hills Public Library (Acton Branch) – 17 River Street, Acton, 519-853-0301

Halton Hills Civic Centre – 1 Halton Hills Drive, Georgetown, 905-873-2601

Gellert Community Centre – 10241 8th Line, Georgetown, 905-877-4244

Aquatic Facilities - Daily Recreational Swimming

Acton Indoor Pool* (519) 853-3140

Gellert Community Centre* (905) 877-4244

*Admission fees apply.

For recreational swimming schedules please call the pool of your choice:

Splash Pads - Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Gellert Park (10241 Eighth Line)

Dominion Gardens (135 Maple Avenue)

Superior Glove (Prospect Park 30 Park Avenue)

9th Annual Spring Into Motion Race

The 9th Annual Spring Into Motion 5KM Race and 1KM Kids Fun Run will take place on Sunday April 15th, 2012 at 9:00 AM at the Gellert Community Centre.

The Spring into Motion fun run is in support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Halton Hills Chapter (CTJS).

Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a community-based charitable program that helps kids in financial need participate in organized sports and recreation. Since 2005, the Halton Hills CTJS Chapter has been committed to helping kids in our community get active. They have helped close to 500 children enjoy recreation and sport programs that they otherwise could not afford to participate in.

Register for the race at Feet In Motion or online at: www.onlinregistrations.ca to support children in Halton Hills.

To find out more about Canadian Tire Jumpstart, please visit: www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart.

2011 Citizen of the Year Award - Laurent Thibault

Congratulations to Laurent Thibault who was named Georgetown’s 2011 Citizen of the Year. Laurent has volunteered on countless projects and committees within the Town of Halton Hills. He is an inspiration to all of us!

2011 Halton Hills Chamber Awards

Congratulations to the winners of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce 2011 Business Achievement Awards:

Entrepreneur of the Year: Valerie Leachman, The Way We Were
Employee of the Year: Christina Kelman, TD Canada Trust
Business of the Year: Herminia Henderson, Georgetown Market Place
Green Award: Heritage Acton

Joy Thompson Retirement

After nearly 32 years on the job, Joy Thompson has retired from the Town in the position of the Town’s Manager of Recreation Services. Everyone at the town and throughout the community will miss Joy’s presence and we wish her all the best during her retirement.

Keep our Community Litter Free

Since we haven’t received a lot of snow this year, it’s easy to see all of the litter that has collected on our streets and in our neighbourhoods over the winter. Circle these dates on your calendar to help clean-up our beautiful town.

Friday April 20th, 2012 - 22 Minute Halton Hills Makeover
Saturday April 21st, 2012 - Community Clean-Up Day
Saturday April 28th, 2012 - Earth Day Celebration

Town of Halton Hills Will Once Again Participate in Earth Hour

The Town of Halton Hills will once again join other communities in Canada and around the world in participating in Earth HourTM by turning off any unnecessary lights, reducing energy consumption and addressing climate change. The objective of Earth Hour is to bring awareness to global warming and environmental protection. Importantly, Earth Hour is no longer just about turning the lights off for an hour. Instead, it is a high-profile opportunity to promote year-round conservation and the taking of long-lasting actions that benefit the health of our planet.

We can show our support for Earth Hour by having as many individuals, businesses, organizations and governments participate in this worldwide event. Earth Hour registration is available at: www.EarthHour.org

Earth Hour 2012 will be celebrated on Saturday, March 31, 2012 between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Earth Hour participation is voluntary, fun and informative.

Last year, a record 134 countries and territories worldwide took part in Earth Hour. Across Canada, over 420 communities participated, an increase of 38%. Since first participating in Earth Hour in 2008, the Town has saved enough electricity to power a total of about 15,500 homes for one hour. This has been accomplished through extensive and successful community engagement of businesses, residents, Town staff and schools.

Speaking about Earth Hour, Mayor Bonnette said:

“Since 2008, our community has collaborated to make Earth Hour a success by participating in this worldwide event recognizing the need to take action against global warming. In 2012, our practical actions will again demonstrate that it is possible to take meaningful local action against climate change. Building on our past successes, it is important that we take actions throughout the year to benefit the environment.

I once again encourage the participation of our residents, businesses and community organizations. Participation in Earth Hour will help implement the Town’s Green Plan and continue to move all of us towards a more prosperous future with an even higher quality of life.”


This year, in support of Earth Hour, the Town will:

• Conserve energy by turning off all non-essential lights at all Town facilities during Earth Hour, without jeopardizing public safety and security, and interrupting regular service.

• Engage the business community to participate by promoting Earth Hour to their employees and customers and by offering special Earth Hour menu items at restaurants. Watch for Town staff as they visit your business to explore Earth Hour participation opportunities.

• Encouraging Earth Hour participation by drawing for an ‘Earth Hour Energy Conservation Package’. The conservation package will include items to help make year-round conservation easier and more convenient such as a programmable thermostat, energy meter, CFL bulbs and other energy conservation items.

Earth Hour is a symbolic event and it alone will not reverse climate change. Nonetheless, Earth Hour is a high profile opportunity to demonstrate that people working together can make a difference on climate change.

For more information on the Town’s participation in Earth Hour, please contact Jennifer Spence (Office of Sustainability) at 905.873.2601 ext. 2290 or jennifers@haltonhills.ca.

For more information about the Town’s sustainability initiatives, please visit: www.haltonhills.ca/sustainability.