Staying Safe During a Summer Heatwave

As the weather warms, you’re probably looking forward to packing away your winter woollies and enjoying the sun. And who could blame you! But while you’re prepping for summer, it’s also important to prepare for those days when extreme temperatures become potentially harmful.

An extended period of unusually high temperatures is known as a heatwave. In Australia, summer heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups in our community, such as babies, young children, and the elderly.

Extreme heat can cause a range of heat-related conditions, including:

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that overrides your body’s ability to regulate its temperature.

Symptoms can include some or a combination of increased body temperature (over 40°C), confusion, fainting, rapid pulse, blurred vision, slurred speech, seizures, or unconsciousness. Heatstroke reduces blood flow to major organs, including the brain, and can cause changes to behaviour and thinking, leading to anger, aggression, and confusion.
Treatment: Seek medical help immediately or call triple zero if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms. While waiting for help, cool the person down as much as possible. Move them to a shaded area, apply cool water or ice-packs to the skin, and fan them.
It’s important NOT to give the sick person anything to drink as they may inhale the fluid.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. However, it can lead to heat stroke if left untreated.

Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headache.
Treatment: Rest in a cool area, hydrate with water, and use cool or ice compresses to decrease body temperature. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical help immediately.

Other common heat-related conditions include heat cramps, sunburn, and dehydration, which can also become serious without proper care.

Who is Most at Risk During a Heatwave?

Certain groups in our community are at greater risk of heat-related illness, including:

Babies and young children
Older adults
People with chronic medical conditions
Pregnant women
Outdoor workers
People who are experiencing homelessness or live alone without access to air conditioning

There are some tried and true ways you and your family can stay safe during a heatwave, including:

Stay hydrated: Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty, and avoid recreational drugs and alcohol.
Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day (usually 10 am–4 pm in summer).
Use fans and air conditioning, or visit cool public places like shopping centres or libraries.
Wear loose, light-coloured clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when venturing outdoors.
Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat times. Exercise at the beginning of the day, before it gets hot.
Check on vulnerable neighbours, friends and family.

Staying Safe at School and Work

By law, schools and workplaces must implement heat safety measures to reduce the risk of heat-related illness. However, people who work outdoors are more at risk. Safe Work Australia advises:

Adjusting workloads and allowing for more frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
Rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler times of day.
Providing access to cool drinking water at all times.

Children in schools should be kept indoors during extreme heat and encouraged to drink water frequently. Schools are expected to be able to recognise and treat heat-related illness, and have strategies to manage the risks associated with extreme heat.

How Your GP Can Help

Your GP at Nillumbik Medical Centre can assist with:

Managing chronic conditions that may worsen in heat (e.g. heart or respiratory illness)
Reviewing medications that may increase heat sensitivity
Providing advice on heatwave safety for babies, older adults, and those with specific medical needs

Book a Consultation

Heatwaves can be dangerous, but with the right precautions, they’re manageable. Be prepared, stay informed, and know when to seek medical help. At Nillumbik Medical Centre, our team is ready to support you and your family all summer long. Book a consultation today to learn how to avoid heat impacting your health.

Book a Heatwave Safety Consultation at Nillumbik Medical Centre

Staying Safe During a Summer Heatwave