Weather Safety

In the interest of student health and performance, the Board supports students being outdoors during recess periods and whenever possible. Students will, however, remain indoors during inclement weather for their safety. The decision to keep students indoors during recess periods is made by the principal or designate of each school based on several factors, including consultations with local health departments, weather alerts from authorities, and other relevant considerations within our communities. 

Please note the following:

  • The Board is in support of healthy physical activity for all students. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children aged 5-17. In addition, school performance, time on task, creativity and productivity improves through increased physical activity. To that end, students should be outdoors during recess periods whenever possible.
  • Students will remain indoors in the event of rain as well as where there is a possibility of severe thunderstorms or lightning in the area of the school.
  • The Durham Region Health Department will issue Weather and Air Quality Alerts when Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts extreme heat or cold and/or poor air quality. Where these conditions are present, Principals will consider keeping students indoors or shortening the length of time they spend outdoors. As noted above, Principals will arrive at this decision based on a variety of factors related to their school communities.
  • Students will remain indoors in the event that the condition of the school yard, as a result of the weather, poses a safety hazard. 

On this page, you will find information on the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) Severe Weather Procedures, including how to prevent injuries and illnesses in extreme heat and cold conditions. There are additional resources under each topic below.  

Severe Weather

All staff should be aware of the types of severe weather conditions that may occur and the preventative actions to take to avoid weather-related illnesses or injuries.

The Severe Weather procedure discusses the steps to take in severe weather conditions including blizzards, extreme cold, floods, freezing rain, extreme heat, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and tornados.

Heat Alerts

Environment Canada will issue a Heat Warning when 2 or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 31°C or warmer and nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to fall to 20°C or warmer OR when 2 or more consecutive days of humidex values are expected to reach 40 or higher.

You can find more information on extreme heat and humidity, including if a heat warning has been issued, at the Durham Region website. 

The following actions are strongly recommended when Environment Canada has issued a Heat Warning or when the outdoor temperature exceeds 30°C and the humidex is 40.

  • A cool location in the building should be used to cool down during break and lunchtimes.
  • Share the signs and symptoms of heat stress with colleagues (see Table below).
  • A “buddy system” can be used where staff and supervisors monitor each other for signs of heat stress.
  • Modify activities that involve physical exertion, and exposure to sun and hot environments. Increasing rest periods and hydration, re-locating the activity to a cool, shaded area and being more vigilant for heat stress related symptoms are important considerations.

Environmental Controls

  • Open windows and doors to allow air to circulate where effective and applicable.
  • Use school-purchased portable fans to assist in circulating air; airflow should be directed away from staff/student breathing zones
  • Use blinds, curtains, or reflective coatings on windows to reduce direct sunlight.
  • Relocate, when necessary, to a cooler location (e.g., third-floor class moved to the first floor, cafeteria, library or outdoors).

Individual Controls

  • Wear loose-fitting clothing that is light in weight and breathable; light colour clothing is better than dark.
  • Wear clothing made of fabrics that wick sweat away from the skin and allow sweat to evaporate.
  • Schedule physically demanding tasks during the cooler times of the day (e.g., early morning or late afternoon) and/or reduce pace of work throughout the day.
  • Eat lightly and drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid loss due to heat. The Ontario Ministry of Labour recommends drinking a cup of water every 15-20 minutes in extreme heat. Fluids include water or fruit juice, not caffeinated drinks.
  • Avoid exposure to direct sunlight; cover your head and wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever working outdoors

Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention for Heat Stress Related Illnesses

Type of Ailment Cause(s) Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Heat Rash Hot humid environment; plugged sweat glands. Red bumps on skin with severe itching. Change into dry clothes and avoid hot environments; rinse skin with cool water. Wash regularly to keep skin clean and dry.
Sunburn

Too much exposure to the sun.

Red, painful, or blistering and peeling skin.

If the skin blisters, seek medical aid. Use skin lotions (avoid topical anesthetics) and work in the shade.

Work in the shade; cover skin with clothing; apply skin lotions with a sun protection factor of at least 15.
Heat Cramps Salt imbalance from heavy sweating (e.g., sweating drains a person's body of salt, which cannot be replaced from just drinking water)

Muscle pain in overworked areas such as arms, legs or stomach. This can occur at work or later at home.

Heat cramps are serious because they can be a warning of other more dangerous heat induced illnesses.

Move to a cool area; loosen clothing; gently massage and stretch affected muscles; drink cool, slightly salted water (1 tsp. of salt per gallon of water) or a beverage with electrolytes; do NOT take salt tablets.

If the cramps are severe or don't go away after drinking salt water or a beverage with electrolytes, get medical help right away.

Reduce activity levels; reduce heat exposure; drink fluids regularly; check on your co-worker(s) for any irregular behaviour that may be signs of an imminent heat stroke.
Fainting Fluid loss and not enough water intake Sudden fainting with no warning symptoms; cool and moist skin; weak pulse Get medical attention; assess needs for CPR; move to a cool area; loosen clothing; lie down; if awake, sip some cool water

Reduce activity levels; reduce heat exposure; drink fluids regularly; check on your co-worker(s) for any irregular behaviour that may be signs of an imminent heat stroke; avoid standing in one place for too long.
Heat Exhaustion Fluid loss and not enough water intake; salt imbalance; breakdown of the body's cooling system Heavy sweating; cool and moist skin; body temperature above 38°C; weak pulse; low blood pressure; tired and weak; nausea and vomiting; very thirsty; panting or breathing rapidly; blurred vision

Get medical attention and ensure you are not left alone; move to a cool area; loosen or remove clothing; drink and spray cool water

Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is deadly.

 Reduce activity levels; reduce heat exposure; drink fluids regularly; check on your co-worker(s) for any irregular behaviour that may be signs of an imminent heat stroke
Heat Stroke

Breakdown of the body's cooling system; loss of ability to sweat caused from loss of water and salt reserves; may follow heat exhaustion

Some people with heat stroke lose the ability to sweat and are not very physically active when ill (classic heat stroke), while others experience heat stroke while still sweating and active (exertional heat stroke).

 High body temperature (above 40°C); fast pulse; headache or dizziness; passing out; weakness confusion or acting strangely; hot, dry, red skin (classic heat stroke) or profusely sweating (exertional heat stroke) Call an ambulance. This condition can be deadly; remove excess clothing; drink and spray cool water Reduce activity levels; reduce heat exposure; drink fluids regularly; check on your co-worker(s) for any irregular behaviour that may be signs of an imminent heat stroke

Resources

Extreme Cold

The following actions are strongly recommended when an extreme cold alert is issued:

  • Dress in layers and cover exposed skin
  • Cover as much exposed skin as possible. Frostbite can develop over a relatively short period of time during periods of extreme cold.
  • Wear waterproof and windproof outer layers.
  • Wear a hat.
  • Choose warm mittens instead of gloves.
  • Wear warm, waterproof boots.
  • Choose wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers of clothing, these materials hold more body heat than cotton.
  • Avoid wearing wet clothing, as you are more likely to develop hypothermia if you are cold and wet.

Take care when outdoors

  • Check the weather report before going outside and reschedule outdoor activities/limit time outdoors if extreme cold weather or a winter storm is forecasted.
  • Wear several layers of warm lightweight clothing when shoveling snow and follow medical advice if you have a history of back or heart problems.
  • Change into dry clothing as soon as possible if you get wet from precipitation, sweat or submersion in water.
  • Be cautious when walking on ice to avoid injuries resulting from slips and falls on ice-covered surfaces.
  • Keep your steps and walkways free of ice and snow by using rock salt or other de-icing compounds.
  • Avoid travelling in low visibility and on ice covered roads.
  • Clear your vehicle windows of all frost and snow so you can clearly see pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention for Cold Related Illnesses

Type of Ailment Cause(s) Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Frostnip Skin and other tissues freeze and die because blood and oxygen can no longer circulate Red and cold skin; skin may start to turn white, but is still soft, prickling and numbness, tingling and stinging. Get out of the cold, wind, rain or snow. Remove tight jewelry or clothing. Place cold fingers in your armpits or warm a cold nose or cheek with the palm of your warm hand. Do not rub or massage the area.

Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind resistant.

Cover exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask. Keep active.
Frostbite Skin and other tissues freeze and die because blood and oxygen can no longer circulate Skin appears white or grayish-yellow and feels cold to the touch. Skin feeling unusually firm or waxy. Pins and needles, followed by numbness.

Frostbite requires medical attention.

Find warm shelter and remove wet clothes.

If you can get out of the cold, begin to warm the affected area.

You can re-warm by:

immersing the affected area in warm but not hot water or

warming the affected area using body heat (e.g., the heat of an armpit)

Do not rub the frostbitten area or massage it. This can cause more damage.

Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes, if possible.

Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Since frostbite makes an area numb, you could burn it.

Dress very warmly in layers of clothing, with an outer layer that is wind resistant.

Cover all exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask.

Be ready to cut short or cancel outdoor activities.

Keep active.
Hypothermia Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature drops below 35°C.

First, hypothermia causes shivering, confusion, and stumbling. Loss of muscular control (e.g., difficulty in walking),

memory loss, slurred speech, difficulty speaking and drowsiness

Seek medical attention immediately.

Find a warm room or shelter.

Keep muscles moving.

Remove wet clothing. Replace wet things with warm, dry clothes.

Wrap the individual in blankets/dry clothing or reheat the body through skin-to-skin contact with another person.

Drink warm, sweet liquids.

Don't fight shivering, this is one of the ways your body increases its core temperature.

If a person is unconscious lay them down and avoid shaking them or handling them roughly.

Be careful and stay indoors. Dress very warmly in layers of clothing, with an outer layer that is wind resistant.

Cover all exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask.

Keep active.

Resources

Air Quality

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a tool designed to communicate the health risk associated with the current air quality. It measures common air pollutants known to cause health problems and provides an AQHI rating from 1 to 10+, depending on the potential health risk of the air pollution level. This index pays particular attention to people who are sensitive to air pollution and provides them with advice on how to protect their health during air quality levels associated with low, moderate, high and very high health risks. 

You can check the local AQHI here.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Environment and Climate Change Canada, issue the following alerts:

  • Special Air Quality Statement (SAQS): A SAQS will be issued when the AQHI is forecast to reach the high-risk category (an AQHI of 7 or greater).
  • Air Quality Warning (AQW): An AQW will be issued when the AQHI is forecast to reach, or has reached, the very high-risk category (AQHI of 10+) due to wildfire smoke. 

AQHI and Outdoor Activity Guidelines

Health Risk Air Quality Health Index Health Measures for At Risk Population* Health Messages for General Population
Low 1-3 Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.  Ideal air quality for outdoor activities.
Moderate 4-6 Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities if experiencing symptoms. Permit usual outdoor activities unless experiencing symptoms (coughing or throat irritation).
High 7-10 Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. Staff/students should also take it easy.  Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms (coughing and throat irritation). 
Very High Above 10 Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Staff and students should avoid outdoor physical exertion  Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms (coughing and throat irritation.) 

*"At Risk" Population: Individuals at a higher risk of health problems when exposed to air pollution can include:

  • Older Adults / Seniors
  • Pregnant people
  • Infants and young children
  • People who work outdoors
  • People involved in strenuous outdoor exercise
  • People with an existing illness or chronic health conditions, such as:
    • cancer
    • diabetes
    • lung or heart conditions 

Smoke from Wildfires

Individuals with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke. Symptoms could include headaches, sore and watery eyes or nose, throat and sinus irritation. Individuals should contact their health care provider should they develop severe symptoms or need advice. Schools will follow the Outdoor Activity Guidelines noted in the table above. 

Additional precautions to manage wildfire smoke may include but are not limited to:

  • Continue to operate school ventilation as normal. School air handling units are equipped with filters and will filter out the smoke particulate, however an odour may remain.
  • Keep classroom windows closed, if safe to do so.
  • Schools may reduce or reschedule outdoor physical activities or relocate indoors.
  • Students and staff should avoid engaging in strenuous activities during recess breaks, stay indoors if they are feeling unwell, and contact their healthcare provider if they are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness or chest pains.
  • Additional guidance (e.g., indoor recess) may be provided through the Durham Region Health Department.