Heatwaves have taken more lives and caused more adverse health outcomes than any other natural hazard in Australia.
Queensland is experiencing an increase in the frequency and duration of heat waves, including higher humidity and higher overnight temperatures.
Learn what you can do to stay safe during these conditions.
What is a heatwave?
The Bureau of Meteorology defines a heatwave as 3 or more days of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for that location.
In Australia, heatwaves usually range from 37°C to 42°C. Check out the Bureau of Meteorology’s video below to learn more about heatwaves and why they occur.
Understand your risk
Heatwaves can impact anyone. However, there are members in our community who are particularly vulnerable and need to take special care during heat waves. This includes:
- babies and young people
- elderly
- pregnant and breastfeeding people
- people with medical conditions such as asthma or those on certain medications
- pets, and
- people who work in the outdoors and atheletes.
If you are in one of these vulnerable categories, or care for someone who is, it is important to follow a few simple steps to reduce your risk to stay cool and hydrated during heat waves.
Get Ready for Heatwave
Get Ready before a heatwave
• Follow the advice from your doctor if heat can affect the management of any medical conditions or medications you may need
• Think of simple ways to make your home or building cooler
• Have air conditioners serviced before the beginning of summer
Drink water regularly
• Drink 2 to 3 litres of water a day at regular intervals, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Limit intake of alcohol, soft drinks, tea or coffee.
• Eat as you normally would but try to eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit. Avoid heavy protein foods which raise body heat and increase fluid loss.
Keep out of the heat as much as possible
• Plan your day to keep activity to a minimum during the hottest part of the day.
• If you can, avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11am–3pm). Avoid strenuous activities and gardening.
• Do not leave children, adults or animals in parked cars.
• If you do go out, wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, porous clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen.
• Regularly rest in the shade and drink plenty of water.
Stay as cool as possible
• Stay inside, in the coolest rooms in your home. Block out the sun during the day and keep windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside.
• Use fans and air-conditioners at home to keep cool, or spend time elsewhere in air-conditioning.
• Take frequent cool showers or baths and splash yourself several times a day with cold water.
Find out more and Get Ready
Check out these other pages and resources to help you Get Ready.
