Staying cool at UBC

Given the high temperatures that can occur in the summer, explore these resources to help stay cool and safe.

The following air-conditioned UBC Vancouver buildings are open to the public:

UBC Vancouver also has two temporary water features in the following locations to help students, faculty, and staff stay hydrated under the heat:

UBC Okanagan has water bottle fillers accessible across campus to help you stay hydrated.

  • Water filling kiosks are located in all academic and administration buildings and in many residences.

Preparing for extreme heat and staying cool

Learn about tips to keep yourself and the spaces you are in cool during extreme heat on UBCO’s Heat and Sun page and PreparedBC: Be prepared for extreme heat.

  • Avoid direct sunlight by staying in the shade and wearing a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen
  • Seek cooler areas in your home, outdoors in parks or near water, or a cooling centre
  • Drink lots of cool fluids
  • Limit activity levels and move activities to cooler times of day

The most at-risk or vulnerable people to heat waves are the elderly and those with medical conditions. If you are in this category or have friends and family that are, please make plans to check in on these individuals when the temperature gets warmer, especially if temperatures do not drop overnight. In-person check-ins are advised, as studies have shown that phone calls are not always sufficient to ensure a loved one is safe during a heat event.

If you or anyone you know experiences serious distress related to the heat, please call 911.

For more resources:

 

For more information on heat stress and safety, please visit Weather and thermal stress safety.