With current power outages being experienced across the District, it may be hard to keep cool at home.
Extreme heat can cause severe illnesses and can be life threatening. People need to ensure they are prepared, know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and take action to keep cool during hot weather.
There are a few simple things you can do to keep cool and safe:
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothes.
- Avoid being outdoors in the hottest part of the day as much as possible. If you have to go outside, seek shade or shelter.
- Close curtains and blinds to block out the sun.
- Spend time in the coolest area of your home.
- Limit physical activity, for example household chores or exercise, to early in the morning when it is coolest.
- Use stoves and ovens as little as possible as these can heat up the home.
- Wet your skin with cool water using a spray bottle or a damp sponge or cloth.
- Place cool packs or crushed ice in a damp towel loosely over your neck and shoulders.
- Take cool showers or baths, or sit for a while with your feet in cool water.
- Seek out cool places or air conditioned public facilities in your local area, if you can safely travel without getting too hot.
- When it becomes cooler outside, open your windows and doors to allow warm air out and let the cool air in.
You can also access information about heat and power outages regarding food safety and managing your medications on the NSW.gov.au website.
Signs of heat-related illness can include headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and cramps. People with these symptoms should cool down right away, move out of the sun and seek shade or air conditioning, take a cool shower or bath if possible and take sips of water.
People who don’t respond to these steps or who show symptoms suggesting a more severe illness, including a sudden rise in body temperature, who are no longer sweating, showing aggressive or strange behaviour or who are fitting, should have urgent medical attention or call Triple Zero (000).
People should also keep an eye on their neighbours in periods of warmer weather, particularly the more vulnerable members of our community, the elderly or those with chronic medical conditions when the weather is hot.
Parents and carers should also keep a particularly close eye on babies and young children as they can be more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
People are encouraged to read Beat the Heat information on the NSW.gov.au website for further advice and tips on how to protect themselves and their loved ones during hot temperatures.
