Heatwaves
A heatwave is when temperatures are above what is usually expected for that time of year.
Each summer is getting hotter than the last, and we’re expecting higher temperatures and more heatwaves. Temperatures reported on the news and weather apps is the temperature in the shade, while actual temperatures in peak summer can be up to 17 degrees higher!
Heat can impact our health and wellbeing, especially if we can’t get cool and stay hot for a few days, so looking after ourselves and our Mob is the best way to stay healthy in a heatwave.
Who is most at risk?
We all need to stay safe during the heat wave, but there are some members of Our Community who need to take particular care including:
- Mob with a medical condition
- bubs and jarjum
- Elders
- pregnant + breastfeeding women
- People with prolonged exposer to the sun
If you’re one of these Mob, stay out of the heat, rest regularly, and keep your body cool. If you know someone who is at risk, check in on them.
How do I prepare for a heatwave?
There’s a lot we can do to be ready for a heatwave before they happen.
- If your house is too hot, plan to go somewhere cooler like shopping centres, libraries, or swimming pools, especially during the middle of the day.
- Keep an eye on the temperature in your home
- Keep water in bottles in the fridge or freezer for cool drinks
- Know who to call if you become unwell during a heatwave
- Make ice cubes using trays
- Plan for power outages – spend time in cool room and use a handheld fan
- Wear lightweight, loose, light coloured clothing outdoors
- Wear wide-brim hats to shade yourself from the sun
How to prepare your home:
- Check ceiling fans and aircons are clean and working
- If you don’t have aircon keep your curtains closed, shut your windows, and turn on the fan when it’s warmer outside.
- If you don’t have a ceiling fan or aircon, consider buying a pedestal or desk fan
- If you can, shade your windows by hanging shade cloth outside, or by planting trees or shrubs.
What to do during a heatwave?
Stay out of the heat
- Find a cool place to go if it’s too hot at home.
- Exercise or do outside activities early in the morning or later in the evening.
- Stay indoors if it’s cool enough.
- Rest in the coolest parts of your home.
- If you have an appointment, try rescheduling or check if you can do by phone.
Stay cool
- Stay hydrated by drinking more water when it’s hot. Cold water helps to keep you cool. If you need to restrict your fluids due to a health condition, yarn to your doctor about how to stay hydrated in a heatwave.
- Limit alcohol as it can dehydrate you.
- Eat cool foods and avoid using your oven as it can make your house hotter.
- Keep an eye on the colour of your urine. If it’s dark in colour, or you’re not going to the toilet often, it means you need to drink more water.
- Cool down with ice, cold cloths or cool showers.
- Wear light, loose clothing and protect yourself from the sun.
What is heat illness?
If you have a heat illness, you may feel sick and experience headaches, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
If you, or someone you know is really crook with a heat related illness:
- Call 000 immediately
- Lay down in a cool spot
- Remove as much clothing as possible
- Drink water if you can swallow
- If possible, get into a cold shower or bath, or cover yourself with a wet sheet to cool down.
Did you know?
After a heatwave, temperatures can drop, but it can take up to three days to recover from the high temperatures.
We recommend you check on those most at risk, including Elders, Mob with a medical condition, Mob who work outside, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, for at least three days.
Your home may take a long time to cool down, so be aware it may still be hot inside, even at night.
Keep drinking water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Be careful around trees – they often drop limbs when it’s hot.
