Keep cool and safe in heatwaves

Elderly women drinking water in front of fan during heatwave

Extreme heat can affect anybody, killing more Australians than any other natural disaster.

Those more at-risk include people over the age of 65, babies and young children, pregnant women, people with acute or chronic health problems, people who live alone and people who don't have the resources to cool their homes.

Climate change is resulting in more hot days and more intense heatwaves. Now more than ever it’s important to know the risks of heat and how to protect yourself and others.

Check out our tips to prepare for a heatwave, stay cool and healthy during the heatwave and recover safely afterwards.

Plan ahead

  • Check weather forecasts often at the Bureau of Meteorology website.
  • Reschedule outdoor events, physical or sporting activities on days when extreme heat is forecast.
  • If you are on medication, check with your doctor before going out in the summer heat.
  • Stock up on food and medicines so you don't have to leave the house during the heat.
  • Work out which room stays coolest and move a fan there, and shut the doors to the rest of the house.
  • Freeze ice and place wet towels in the fridge.
  • Plan cool meals – cooking creates heat.
  • Prepare your home by shading west facing windows, cleaning air conditioner filters and making sure you have window coverings.
  • Find out where to cool down, get a drink of water and access help on a hot day in Darebin.
  • Learn how to keep your home cool and energy bills down.
  • Get to know your neighbours with these helpful tips from Red Cross.

Stay cool on hot days

During a heatwave

  • Close blinds and curtains early in the morning, especially external blinds if you have them.
  • Use fans or air conditioning: consider saving energy and money by just cooling one room in your house. Run your air conditioner at 24-26 degrees to keep your energy bills down.
  • Drink plenty of water regularly even if you're not thirsty. Avoid caffeine or sweet drinks.
  • Cool down with wet towels, spray bottles and cool showers.
  • Wear loose, light coloured clothing.
  • Avoid exercise and leaving home during the hot parts of the day.
  • If you have to go out, try to plan to go out only during the cooler parts of the day and take a water bottle with you.
  • Hot cars can kill, so never leave children or pets in cars.
  • Know who to contact or where to go if you need help.
  • Check in on your neighbours to make sure they're ok.

Once the heatwave has passed

  • Open the doors and windows in your house to allow the cool air in.
  • Drink extra fluids for three days.
  • Make sure any food in your fridge is still good.
  • Check in on friends and neighbours to make sure they’re ok.
  • Think about what worked and what you might do next time.

Recognise heat-related illness

Heat stress can lead to heat stroke, which can be life threatening.

Heat stress Heat stroke (life threatening)
Symptoms
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Thirst
  • Heavy sweating
  • Dry, swollen tongue
  • Intense thirst
  • Disoriented, dizzy or delirious
  • Body temperature above 40°C
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating but skin feels deceptively cold
  • Convultions or coma
What to do
  • Stop what you’re doing, go to a cool place with a fan or air conditioner and lie down
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Have a cool shower, spray or splash cool water on your skin to cool down
  • Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
  • Lie the person down somewhere cool with ice in a cloth placed around their neck, under their arm pits and against their groin while waiting for the ambulance.

     

 

 

More information

Keep cool tips
Fact sheets in your language

 

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