Heat safety outreach for heat resilience

Raising awareness about heat risks and safety measures saves lives. Homes¹ without adequate cooling can become dangerous places when temperatures are high. Heat safety outreach involves educating residents about the risks of extreme heat events and what safety measures are available. Outreach could also include the distribution of cooling kits or implementing neighbourhood support programs such as neighbour check-in initiatives.

Outreach activities increase heat resilience by ensuring heat-sensitive residents are aware of risks, prepared and able to access cooling interventions. For small and rural communities, outreach is critical because limited infrastructure, dispersed populations and fewer public services can make residents particularly vulnerable to heat exhaustion, dehydration and other heat-related illnesses.

This guidance outlines key steps, best practices, costing information and case studies to help municipalities plan and deliver heat safety projects.

Key steps for successful implementation

• Identify populations most vulnerable to extreme heat in your community: Consider people with chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, cancer), people with mental health conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, anxiety), older adults, people living alone, people with mobility challenges, and those with low incomes
• Leverage external networks: Partner with community centres, seniors centres, volunteer groups and other local service organizations for outreach support
• Develop a targeted communications plan for your audience: Use a variety of outreach methods like door-to-door visits, phone check-ins, flyers and social media; tap into existing networks and wellness checks that partner organizations are already doing
• Source or prepare cooling kits: Consider including water bottles, portable fans, cooling towels, educational materials and other supplies for distribution
• Monitor your reach: Establish a tracking system to monitor outreach coverage and effectiveness, adjusting as needed to target groups that may be missed

Best practices for design and delivery

• Build skills around respectful engagement: Equip outreach volunteers and staff with training to navigate equity, cultural safety and privacy of personal information; respecting privacy is especially important when developing neighbourhood check-in programs and engaging with people in their homes
• Communicate consistently across authorities: Align communications with those from regional, provincial/territorial, federal, health and emergency authorities to avoid mixed messaging
• Reach people where they are at: Locate heat information at busy public areas, like grocery stores, playgrounds, shopping centres and libraries; work with neighbourhood associations to develop check-in programs for those living alone in homes without adequate cooling

Equity and community considerations

• Consider barriers to internet access: Connect with older adults and others who may not see digital outreach by using flyers, radio and in-person engagement (e.g., home wellness checks or visits to seniors centres)
• Find trusted messengers: Connect with residents who may be distrustful of government, such as individuals with substance use issues or people who are unhoused, by partnering with support organizations who are already in contact with them; bring print communications directly to shelters and encampments
• Integrate a cultural lens: Reach multilingual and culturally diverse communities with tailored and interpreted communications; partner with trusted liaisons such as faith groups and cultural organizations

Costing and budgeting information

Costs for heat safety education and outreach can range from $10,000–$50,000 per campaign and $25–$100 per cooling kit.

Typical cost drivers include materials, advertising, staff time and training. Cost drivers for cooling kits depend on the contents of the kit (e.g., water bottles, portable fans, cooling towels, educational materials, etc.).

To help reduce overall costs:

• Partner with universities or research institutions that can provide access to expertise and technology for heat-health data collection and analysis
• Ask local businesses and residents for donations of new or unopened supplies
• Establish volunteer programs so that residents can contribute to outreach, cooling kit assembly and monitoring activities

Case studies and lessons learned

Leveraging community networks for heat safety (Melita, MB, 2010)

The Town of Melita developed a local Heat Alert and Response System (HARS) to protect residents during extreme heat events. The town engaged regional health authorities, volunteer organizations, Meals on Wheels, senior services and local emergency responders. Outreach included wellness checks by emergency medical staff, distribution of heat-health fact sheets, social media campaigns and multi-channel alerts. Volunteers assisted with water distribution, transportation to cooling locations and community education.

Lesson learned: Small rural communities can take advantage of their strong community networks and social capital to effectively implement heat safety outreach through local partners, ensuring timely communication and support for high-risk residents even when municipal resources and public cooling facilities are limited.

Fostering neighbour networks for heat preparedness (Victoria, BC, 2018)

The Connect & Prepare program, from Building Resilient Neighbourhoods, brings neighbours together in multi-unit buildings, condominiums, co-ops and single-family streets to identify shared risks, map local assets and develop community plans for emergencies, including extreme heat. Workshops use interactive games, facilitated discussions and planning exercises. Micro-grants support small-scale resilience projects such as shared emergency supplies.

Lesson learned: Proactively engaging neighbours through structured programs strengthens social connections, builds local preparedness and creates a framework for communities to act collectively during heat events.

Reaching diverse audiences with diverse heat outreach methods (Windsor–Essex, ON, 2011)

Windsor–Essex implemented a comprehensive heat risk communication campaign informed by marketing experts and community engagement. The campaign developed a “Stay Cool Windsor–Essex” logo to brand all communications. Outreach activities included pharmacy labels for people on risk-enhancing medications, colouring mats for children and fridge magnets for older adults. The campaign also included a central information hub and train-the-trainer sessions for emergency responders and community partners.

Lesson learned: Using a variety of communication channels and tailored materials ensures heat-health messaging reaches diverse audiences effectively, from children to seniors and vulnerable residents.

*Note: The case studies included on this page are for informational purposes and were not supported by the Green Municipal Fund.

Additional resources

Heat waves and “un-natural disasters”: A tip sheet for communicators (Re.Climate) – This resource provides guidance for climate communicators on effectively conveying the risks of extreme heat events. Tips cover effective language, meaningful images, trusted frontline messengers (e.g., doctors, paramedics, nurses), and clear framing of climate context to engage the public while showing the health and safety impacts of heat waves.

Extreme heat health check tool (National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health) – This short and practical guide supports in-person or remote health checks during extreme heat events, helping communities identify and support individuals most at risk. It includes a rapid risk assessment checklist, guidance for recognizing and responding to heat-related illness, and instructions for measuring body and room temperature.

Prepare together for extreme heat guide (Building Resilient Neighbourhoods) – This practical guide for neighbours and community groups has information on how to connect, check in on one another and implement simple strategies to reduce risks during extreme heat events. It includes step-by-step instructions for organizing discussions, creating shared cooling zones, facilitating home-cooling retrofits and accessing health resources.

Explore more heat resilience activities

Learn about other heat resilience project types and how they can support your community:

• Shade structures
• Cooling centres

Return to the Heat Resilience Toolkit for Municipalities

Related toolkits

GMF offers additional toolkits to support municipalities facing different climate risks. 

• Flood Resilience Toolkit
• Wildfire Resilience Toolkit
• Community Facilities Toolkit

Glossary

Cooling kits: Packages containing items such as water bottles, portable fans, cooling towels and educational materials designed to help residents stay safe during extreme heat events

Extreme heat events: Periods of unusually high temperatures that pose health risks to humans, particularly for vulnerable populations

Heat alert and response system (HARS): A coordinated system used to issue alerts about extreme heat and provide support services to protect public health

Social capital: The relationships, trust and networks within a community that enable collective action and mutual support

Select resources

1. https://ncceh.ca/resources/evidence-reviews/heat-alert-and-response-systems-canada-check-preparedness#h3-13