SUMMER in Australia can often mean battling daytime temperatures that reach into the 40-degree range.
That means it’s important to take the risk of heat-related illness seriously.
Heat-related illness can affect anyone, but certain groups are particularly vulnerable.
These vulnerable groups include those over 75, infants and children, people with a chronic medical condition and people who live alone.
While Australians are accustomed to hot weather and generally consider themselves resilient to such conditions, every year hot weather and heat waves cause illness, hospitalisations and sometimes even deaths.
During a heat wave - or even just a single hot day - it is important to stay in regular contact with your elderly friends, neighbours and relatives and to look out for other vulnerable members of your community.
Heat puts a lot of strain on the body and can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
It can also make underlying health conditions worse.
Be prepared and take simple precautions to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
Sometimes it is these simple precautions that can help people minimise their risk of heat-related illness:
- Drink plenty of water and remember to carry some with you when you’re out and about.
- Avoid alcoholic, hot or sugary drinks.
- Plan your day around the heat. Stay indoors between 11am and 5pm and minimise physical activity.
- Keep the sun out of your house by shading windows with an awning, shadecloth or plants. Shutting curtains and drawing blinds will also help.
So, what do you do if you are too hot? Light clothes are a big help on hot days. Ditch the denim and opt for light cotton materials or linen.
A light, untucked button-up shirt allows air to circulate. Shorts, if appropriate, are also cooler. Slap on sunscreen if you are outside with exposed skin, and wear a hat to maintain sun protection.
If you don’t have access to a pool, tap into your inner child – run under the rose or get a friend to give you a light spray then sit down in the shade. Hopefully a bit of a breeze will bring your temperature down.
If you are unable to crank up the air conditioning, sit in front of a fan. Prepare your ceiling fans for summer.
Summer is one of those times where, if you can’t stand the heat, you should stay out of the kitchen.
Standing in front of a cooktop or operational oven on a 35-degree day is no fun. An open-air barbecue is better, or make a salad and dine alfresco in the shade.
Trying to sleep in the heat can be dreadful. Try a cool washer over your eyes or even sleep under damp sheets.
The jury’s out on pyjamas – or the lack of, more specifically. Some people prefer the wicking effect of clothing to draw away sweat, but that’s a personal choice
Wear the lightest possible PJs and, if you’re sleeping along or in a big enough bed, spread arms and legs apart to stop heat build up.
