The Health Department has issued a Heat Health Alert for Wimmera, Mallee, North Central and Northern Districts of Victoria for Monday, December 18.
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The average daytime and overnight temperatures in these regions will be above the threshold at which the risk of heat-related illness and death increases substantially.
The Health Department has asked hospitals, care services and municipal governments in those regions to prepare for extreme heat.
Stawell is just within the south-east border of the Wimmera forecast region while Ararat is Just outside it.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a maximum of 39 degrees in Stawell on Monday with an overnight minimum temperature of 23 degrees.
Stawell’s forecast is for a mostly cloudy day with winds easterly 15 to 20 kilometres per hour becoming light during the morning then becoming easterly 25 to 35 km/h during the day.
Ararat’s Monday forecast is for a maximum of 38 degrees with a 36 degree overnight minimum, mostly cloudy with similar easterly winds to Stawell.
Survive the heat
During extreme heat it is easy to become dehydrated or for your body to overheat.
If this happens, you may develop heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency which can result in permanent damage to your vital organs, or even death, if not treated immediately.
Extreme heat can also make existing medical conditions worse.
Could you or someone you know be at risk? Extreme heat can affect anybody however the people most at risk:
- are aged over 65 years, especially those living alone
- have a medical condition such as diabetes, kidney disease or mental illness
- are taking medications that may affect the way the body reacts to heat such as: – allergy medicines (antihistamines) – blood pressure and heart medicines (betablockers) – seizure medicines (anticonvulsants) – water pills (diuretics) – antidepressants or antipsychotics
- have problematic alcohol or drug use • have a disability
- have trouble moving around such as those who are bed bound or in wheelchairs • pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers
- babies and young children
- are overweight or obese
- work or exercise outdoors
- have recently arrived from cooler climates.
Hot cars kill
- Never leave kids, adults or pets in hot cars. The temperature inside parked cars can double within minutes. Coping with the heat
Coping with the heat
- Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty (if your doctor normally limits your fluids, check how much to drink during hot weather).
- Keep yourself cool by using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water and taking cool (not cold) showers.
- Spend as much time as possible in cool or airconditioned buildings (shopping centres, libraries, cinemas or community centres). •
- Block out the sun at home during the day by closing curtains and blinds.
- Open the windows when there is a cool breeze.
- Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.
- Cancel or postpone outings. If you absolutely must go out, stay in the shade and take plenty of water with you.
- Wear a hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like cotton and linen.
- Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads.
- Make sure food that needs refrigeration is properly stored.
- Avoid heavy activity like sport, renovating and gardening.
- Watch or listen to news reports to find out more information during extreme heat.
How you can help others
- Keep in touch with sick or frail friends and family. Call them at least once on any extreme heat day.
- Encourage them to drink plenty of water.
- Offer to help family, friends and neighbours who are aged over 65 or have an illness by doing shopping or other errands so they can avoid the heat. Take them somewhere cool for the day or have them stay the night if they are unable to stay cool in their home.
- If you observe symptoms of heat-related illness, seek medical help.
Prepare for extreme heat
- Stock up on food, water and medicines so you don’t have to go out in the heat. Visit your doctor to check if changes are needed to your medicines during extreme heat.
- Store medicines safely at the recommended temperature.
- Check that your fan or air-conditioner works well. Have your air-conditioner serviced if necessary.
- Look at the things you can do to make your home cooler such as installing window coverings, shade cloths or external blinds on the sides of the house facing the sun.
Prepare for power failure
- Ensure you have a torch, fully charged mobile phone, a battery operated radio and some spare batteries.
- Stock up on food items that do not require refrigeration or cooking such as tinned fruit and vegetables, tinned meats or fish, bread and fruit.
- Have plenty of drinking water available.
- Stock up on medications and other essential items.
- Consider a battery-operated or hand held fan to assist with cooling.
