Coping with the heat
There are a number of key points to remember.
- Keep hydrated – if you are going out, make sure you take a bottle of water with you.
- Never leave anyone including pets in vehicles – the temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes.
- Keep cool – spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned buildings, use a fan and wear light and loose clothing.
- Plan ahead – do your activities in the coolest part of the day and avoid exercising in the heat.
- Help others – look after those that are most vulnerable to heat, especially the young, the elderly and those with a medical condition.
People at risk
Extreme heat events can affect anybody, however the people most at risk are those who:
- are over 65, especially those living alone
- have medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or mental illness
- are taking medications which may affect the way the body reacts to heat such as:
- allergy medicines
- blood pressure and heart medicines
- seizure medicines
- water pills
- antidepressants or antipsychotics.
- have problematic alcohol or drug use
- have a disability
- have trouble moving around (bedbound or use wheel chairs)
- are pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers
- are babies and young children
- are overweight or obese
- work or exercise outdoors
- recently arrived from cooler climates.
For further tips and advice, visit the Better Health Channel.
If you are feeling unwell
For 24-hour health advice, call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 or see your doctor if you are feeling unwell.
Keeping your pets cool
Don’t forget about keeping your pets cool in hot weather. Learn about caring for animals in extreme heat and emergencies.
Power outages
Power outages can occur at any time. For advice on what to do during a power outage, refer to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s guide to power outages.
More information
Find out more about how to cope and stay safe in extreme heat. This information is available in other languages.
Need help?
Contact us and we will come back to you.
Or call our Customer Services team on 9298 8000.
