Poor quality housing, homelessness, and overall deprivation are risk factors for increased mortality during
extreme heat events (Kenny et al 2019; Kovats and Hajat, 2008). Urban tree canopy reduces surface temperatures by as much as 12°C (Schwaab et al, 2021). The urban
heat island effect increases heat related mortality and morbity (Santamouris, 2020).
10% of Bcers don't live in social housing SROS or supportive housing
Housing
In almost all (98%) of the deaths, the heat injury occurred indoors in a residence.
• 73% occurred in private residences (39% in multi-unit buildings and 34% in detached buildings);
• 10% occurred in social housing, single room occupancy (SRO), or supportive housing;
• 7% occurred in trailer homes, mobile homes, RVs, or campers; and
• 7% occurred in senior or long-term care homes (see Appendix 2, Table 7).
Living Situation More than half (56%) of decedents lived alone, 30% lived with spouse or family members; 8% lived in community or assisted living situations (i.e. group home, senior homes, long-term care homes); and 5%
lived with unrelated friends or roommates (see Appendix 2, Table 8).
Recent Activity Very few deaths were linked to physical activity in the heat. BCCS investigative notes found that 20 (3.2%) decedents were known to be recently active prior to their death. Activities included gardening, outdoor
home maintenance/repairs, walking outdoors, hiking, or playing a sport.
Figure 6 (Abbotsford)
40
35
93% of deaths in BC Heatdome had no air conditioning.
-Air Conditioning
-No Air Conditioning
-Outdoors
Temperature (Celsius)
15
19
Air Conditioning Based on information collected by coroners during their investigations, 46 (7%) decedents had air conditioning present in their residence (see Appendix 2, Table 11). Of those, 7 (15%) were on at the time of
death but may have been in a different room or improperly used (i.e. blowing hot air).
Fans Fans were used in 24% of residences; however, for 44% of decedents it was unknown if fans were in use (see Appendix 2, Table 12). Of those with fans in use, 70% had them on in the room where the deceased
was found.
Figure 5: Heat-related deaths mapped by injury location
Extreme Heat and Human Mortality:
A Review of Heat-Related Deaths in B.C. in Summer 2021
A Report to the Chief Coroner of British Columbia
Fort St John Jawson
Creek Grande
Prairie
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
Dixon
Entrance
Terrace
Prince
Rupert ice
ge The majority of those who died lacked access to cooling or ventilation,
and were often living in areas of higher material and social deprivation.
seek assistance or cooler environments. The majority of those who died lacked access to cooling or ventilation, and were often living in areas of higher material and social deprivation. Although deaths occurred over a seven-month period, in the majority of deaths, the injury event that contributed to the
death was sustained during the extreme heat event.
Figure 1: Heat-Related Deaths by Date of Death
234
250
200
150
100
50
2
0
<25-Jun
9
15
137
56
58
34
19
23
7
4
4
7
2
1
1
2
4
28-Jun
29-Jun
30-Jun
01-Jul
02-Jul
03-Jul
04-Jul
05-Jul
06-Jul
07-Jul
08-Jul
09-Jul
10-Jul
>12-Jul Of the 619 heat-related deaths, 576 (93%) were injured during the week of June 25-July 1. The majority of injuries occurred on June 28 and June 29 which corresponds with the highest temperatures during the
extreme heat event. In certain parts of the province, temperatures above 40°C were observed from
Great idea I see an apartment that is changing all the windows where they could've used an air conditioner and now it's gonna be very very difficult to do so
BC should have laws against landlords allowing people to boil alive in their apt/condo laws
#BCHeatDome #BCHeatWave #bcpoli #ubcm