First heat alert for N.B.

The current heat wave has given authorities a chance to test a pilot project in Fredericton, N.B.

The city is one of four smaller communities in Canada where the Heat Alert system is being tried out this summer.

Until now, such warnings have only been issued for large cities, such as Toronto or Montreal, but the federal government is testing the system in Fredericton, Windsor, Ont., as well as Winnipeg and Assiniboine, both in Manitoba.

Health Canada set up the alert system to evaluate the potential for heat-related illness, such as heat stroke.

Dr. Cristin Muecke, Fredericton's medical health officer, said a level one alert indicates that infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases are at risk.

Level two puts everyone at some risk and level three means everyone is at high risk for heat-related illnesses.

'What Health Canada was interested in looking at was some smaller areas affected by heat and assisting those areas in developing some tools that would allow them to advise the public," Muecke said.

Level two

Health Canada issued a level two alert in Fredericton on Wednesday as temperatures reached 32 C.

Muecke said it's important that people realize the health dangers of extreme heat and protect themselves.

"Adjust their activities accordingly and make sure that they're well hydrated, that they're staying in the shade and that they're keeping cool as much as possible," she said.

"If you have a neighbour or a friend who is elderly and confined to their house, maybe doesn't have air conditioning, check on those people and make sure they're doing all right."

Should a level three heat alert be reached, the city would consider opening cooling centres for health protection.