General News
12 January, 2023
Stay heat safe as temperatures climb this weekend
As temperatures continue to rise this summer with a top of 39 degrees expected over the weekend, people are being advised to keep it cool by taking steps to avoid the heat — warnings have also been issued against leaving children in hot cars...
As temperatures continue to rise this summer with a top of 39 degrees expected over the weekend, people are being advised to keep it cool by taking steps to avoid the heat — warnings have also been issued against leaving children in hot cars.
Scorching conditions are a major cause of concern this summer — with extreme heat killing more Victorians than any other natural disaster and heatwaves are particularly dangerous when coupled with high overnight temperatures as they can interfere with the body’s natural ability to cool down and cause heat illness.
Heat illness can include heat cramps and heat exhaustion, which, if left untreated, can lead to heatstroke. Heatstroke is fatal in up to 80 percent of cases, but it is preventable.
There are simple steps people can take to reduce the chance of heat illness such as staying hydrated, spending time in cool, air-conditioned buildings, planning ahead and keeping up to date with weather forecasts and checking in on those most at risk in the heat like older people or young children.
Ahead of this summer’s first run of extreme heat, Minister for Ambulance Services Gabrielle Williams is also urging Victorians to never leave kids in cars — in November alone, it was revealed that there were 113 callouts to locked cars.
A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult, and the temperature inside a parked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than it is outside.
Warranting safety, parents should always take their kids and pets with them whenever they get out of their cars, just as they do with their valuables.
Reports also suggest that leaving the windows down has little effect on the inside temperature, with tests showing that when windows are left open 10 centimetres, the inside temperature will only reduce by five degrees.
Last summer, Ambulance Victoria paramedics were called to 410 reports of people locked in cars across the state and children below the age of 13 made up 92.5 percent of cases.
Call Triple Zero (000) if you or someone you know is showing signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. You can also speak to NURSE-ON-CALL (1300 606 024) or your doctor for general medical advice during extreme heat.
For more tips on surviving the heat, visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/survive-heat