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Heat Wave

Heatwave

A heatwave is a period of unusual and uncomfortably hot weather that can affect anybody.  It can also affect community infrastructure such as the power supply, public transport and other services.   

Heatwaves can make existing medical conditions worse and cause heat related illness, which may be fatal.

Who is most at risk?

The Department of Health has identified risk groups as:

  • People aged over 65 years, especially those living alone;
  • People with medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or mental illness;
  • People taking certain medications;
  • People with problematic alcohol or drug use;
  • People with a disability who may not be able to communicate their discomfort or thirst;
  • People who have trouble moving around;
  • Who are overweight or obese;
  • Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, babies and young children;
  • People who work or are physically active outdoors; and
  • People who live in the upper levels of multi-storey buildings constructed prior to 1975.

 Coping with the heat

  • Look after yourself and keep in touch with sick or frail friends, neighbours and relatives.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Keep yourself cool using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water and taking cool showers.
  • Spend as much time as possible in cool or air-conditioned buildings.
  • Close blinds during the day and open windows when there is a cool breeze.
  • Don’t leave children, adults or animals in parked cars.
  • Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, if you must go out stay in the shade and take water with you
  • Wear loose fitting, light coloured clothing.
  • Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads.
  • Make sure food that needs refrigeration is stored properly.
  • Avoid strenuous activity.
  • Watch or listen to news reports that provide more information during a heatwave.

 Preparing for hot weather

  • Service your air conditioner prior to summer.
  • Stock up on food, water and medicines so you don’t need to go out in the heat.
  • Store medicines at the recommended temperature.
  • Install awnings, shade cloth or external blinds on the sides of the house facing the sun.

Preparing for power failure

  • Think about what you would do if a heatwave caused loss of electricity or disrupted public transport.
  • Ensure you have a torch, fully charged mobile phone and battery operated radio.

 Contact information

For 24 hour health advice call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24

For life-threatening emergencies call 000

 Useful Links

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/heatwave/

http://www.bom.gov.au/

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/