On a recent hot summer day our family took a trip out to the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre. Located at the edge of a restored prairie marsh, it is home to hundreds of species of birds and numerous mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish.
It was quite a contrast going in and out of the impressive complex. Inside, it was air conditioned and pleasant. And the interactive exhibits are first rate.
Outside, the temperature was 30 degrees. It was humid too. While my wife and son went on a horse-drawn tour of a few of the 30 km worth of trails, I declined the opportunity.
Pretty pathetic, I know. But it was just too hot. Like a wimp, I remained inside until they returned.
While I was waiting, I reflected on the effect extreme heat can have on people who aren’t prepared for it; sunburn, heat stroke, exhaustion, dehydration or other serious illnesses.
Common sense tells us that when it is hot out, everyone is at some risk. But the most vulnerable would obviously include people who work outside, young children, senior citizens, individuals with chronic breathing or heart conditions, and people who are homeless.
Relief
During the winter you hear a lot about those experiencing homelessness and the dangers associated with cold temperatures. What gets forgotten is how dangerous the hot weather can be for those on the streets. Not many public places welcome people who are homeless, even if they are only looking for some relief in some air conditioning.
I’m writing this during another very hot day. I have a fan blowing on me, as there is no air conditioning on the third floor of Siloam Mission. (At least I’m indoors and away from direct sunlight.) From my vantage point, I can turn and look out of two windows which face the back lane and the loading dock at the rear of Siloam. Right now I can see four of our patrons, all clearly overdressed for the kind of conditions outside.
They are trying to get some shade behind our building. One of them is wearing a winter jacket, another is in a heavy, long-sleeved cotton hoody and nobody among the people I see is wearing shorts.
Unpredictable
A passer-by might say, “It’s so hot out. Why do they have all those clothes on?” Well, for most of them those clothes and a back pack containing a few odds and ends, is all they have. While it is scorching today, they might be sleeping outside in much cooler, damp conditions in mere days. The weather, as we know, is that unpredictable.
The clothing program at Siloam Mission is a basic service that helps alleviate some of the stresses associated with changing seasons. We offer garments and travel-size hygiene items which are donated to us by faithful supporters. Our biggest ongoing need is for men’s clothing of different sizes.
Just about everyone loves to be outside and to catch some sun. However, too much exposure can be a potential danger.
From heat stroke to sunburn, dehydration to skin cancer, summer can pose a bigger threat to those who are homeless than we realize.
— Larry Updike is the senior communications and advocacy officer for Siloam Mission.
