Don't leave kids or pets alone in hot vehicles: Coquitlam RCMP

It's a simple message, but is reiterated when above-normal temperatures are inbound.

While conditions won't reach the "heat dome" experience of 2021, Tri-Cities authorities are reminding residents to take precautions to stay cool for yourself and your loved ones.

Environment Canada's latest forecast shows that temperatures could reach as high as 35°C by Mother's Day Sunday (May 14) for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.

"These temperatures are about 16 degrees above normal," meteorologist Bobby Sekhon told Glacier Media.

Environment Canada issued a special statement 4 p.m. on Wednesday (May 10) for "unseasonably hot weather."

"The heat warning criteria is two days of 29°C temperatures and two overnight lows of 16°C," Sekhon noted, adding that the expected temperatures are "getting pretty close."

Evening temperatures are expected to offer a respite, with the mercury dropping down to the mid-teens.

@tricitynews Stay cool. 👍 #tricitynews #coquitlam #portcoquitlam #portmoody #spring #heatwave #tricitieswx #bcweather ♬ original sound - TriCityNews

Hot vehicles

Hotter days can lead to heat-related illnesses, Environment Canada stressed in its statement.

Symptoms can include moist skin, heavy sweating, rash, swelling in hands and feet, fainting, headache, vomiting, seizures and shallow breathing, per HealthLink BC.

Coquitlam RCMP are warning parents and pet owners to never leave kids or pets in vehicles as the upholstery combined with the sun's heat could turn fatal.

Experts say if humans and animals are exposed to heat for more than 20 minutes with no cooling source, this can lead to internal organ and brain damage, or death.

"In the spring and summer months when the weather gets warmer, the best way you can show how much you love your pet is to leave them at home," explained BC SPCA spokesperson Eileen Drever.

"If you are running errands with your pets or children, take them out of the vehicle with you," added Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Alexa Hodgins.

"We are hoping through education we can prevent hot-vehicle related fatalities this spring / summer season."

Police are also recommending local residents to keep bottled water in their vehicles to help stay hydrated, if they must bring kids about on a hot day, as well as a small bowl and cold towel for pets.

If you see a child or pet unattended in a hot vehicle, you're encouraged to....

Note the licence plate and vehicle information
If the vehicle is parked near a business, ask the manager to page the owner to return to their vehicle immediately
Call to report if no owner is found or the animal is suffering from the heat
Contact the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722 or in an emergency, contact 9-1-1

Places to cool off

The "spring+" temperatures are forecast in time for the 100th May Days parade, which is set to bring in hundreds of people to Port Coquitlam for, what's considered to be, one of the largest in Metro Vancouver.

It's still too early for Tri-Cities municipalities to open all of its outdoor pools and spray parks, but there are places that offer air-conditioning or natural waterways to cool off.

Earlier this week, the Tri-City News suggested the following:

Libraries
- Coquitlam
  - City Centre (1169 Pinetree Way) and Poirier (575 Poirier St.) branches
- Port Coquitlam
  - Terry Fox Library (2150 Wilson Ave.)
- Port Moody
  - Port Moody Public Library (100 Newport Dr.)

Mall
- Coquitlam Centre (2929 Barnet Hwy.)

Community centres
- Coquitlam
  - City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way)
  - Maillardville Community Centre (1200 Cartier Ave.)
  - Pinetree Community Centre (1260 Pinetree Way)
  - Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St.)
- Port Coquitlam
  - Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (1379 Laurier St.)
  - Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.)
- Port Moody
  - Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd.)
  - Kyle Centre (125 Kyle St.)

River
- Walk to the Coquitlam River — from the Coquitlam or Port Coquitlam side — where the temperature is considerably cooler
- Be sure to bring sunscreen

Spray parks
- Coquitlam (potential early opening)
  - Blue Mountain Park (975 King Albert Ave.)
  - Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way)
- Port Coquitlam
  - Castle Park (2252 Castle Cres.)
  - Lions Park (2300 Lions Way)
  - Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.)
- Port Moody
  - Ailsa Park (500-block of Ailsa Ave.)
  - Easthill Park (1385 Union St.)
  - Rocky Point Park (2800-block of Murray Street)

Outdoor pools
- Port Coquitlam
  - Centennial Outdoor Pool (3050 Chester St.)

Parks
- Coquitlam has more than 80 municipal parks and natural areas, totalling more than 2,220 acres
  - Mundy Park (off Mariner Way) has the most tree coverage
- In Port Coquitlam, drinking fountains are located at Castle, Lions, Gates and McLean parks, as well as Leigh Square
- Parts of Rocky Point Park in Port Moody are shaded and has picnic areas, but also check out Bert Flinn Park for a scenic hike in the woods

Misting stations
- For Tri-Cities residents at Saturday's May Day 100 celebrations, there will be a misting tent at the main and rear entrances to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.)

Ice cream parlours
- Coquitlam
  - Marble Slab Creamery (2991 Lougheed Hwy.)
  - Rocky Point Ice Cream (Town Centre Park)
- Port Coquitlam
  - Matteo’s Gelato (2615 Mary Hill Rd., Port Coquitlam)
  - Dairy Queen (2550 Shaughnessy St. and 1475 Prairie Ave.)
- Port Moody
  - Rocky Point Ice Cream (Rocky Point Park)
  - Casa Dolce Gelato (252 Newport Dr., Port Moody)

Hatcheries
- Coquitlam
  - Hoy–Scott Creek Hatchery (west of Town Centre Boulevard)
- Port Coquitlam
  - Hyde Creek Education Centre and Hatchery (3636 Coast Meridian Rd.)
- Port Moody
  - Noons Creek Hatchery (340 Ioco Rd.)
  - Mossom Creek Hatchery (12 Mossom Creek Dr.)

Tips from Preparedness BC

In homes without air conditioning, heat builds indoors over the course of a few days. It may stay hotter inside than outside overnight.

Without air conditioning, the longer the heat lasts, the more dangerous it becomes.

Take the following steps to keep yourself and members of your household safe:

If you have air conditioning, turn it on. It does not need to be going full strength to help you stay safe
If you have air conditioning, and vulnerable friends and family do not, bring them to your home
If you do not have air conditioning, move to your pre-identified alternate location with air conditioning or cooler spaces
Sleep in the coolest part of the residence. Outdoor temperatures are usually lower than indoor temperatures overnight, so consider sleeping outside if you can safely do so
Sleep with a wet sheet or in a wet shirt
Take cool baths or showers to draw heat from your body
Drink plenty of water, regardless of whether you feel thirsty. Be aware that sugary or alcoholic drinks cause dehydration
If you are taking medication or have a health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it increases your health risk in the heat and follow their recommendation
If your doctor limits the amount you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot

- with files from Janis Cleugh, Tri-City News, and Elana Shepert, Vancouver Is Awesome