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Heatwaves: Beat the Heat

Heatwaves have a significant impact on human health, and are predicted to increase in intensity, duration and frequency as climate change accelerates.

Melbourne currently has an annual average of 9 days on which the temperature exceeds 35°C. Recent climate change predictions, which are looking increasingly conservative as new observations are taken into account, forecast that this may increase to 11-13 days by 2030 and 12-26 days by 2070.

Substantial increases in mortality, illness and anti-social behaviour during heatwaves are well documented – e.g. they caused more deaths than any other natural hazard apart from disease in the 20th century.

The City of Yarra’s Beat the Heat Heatwave Adaption project developed a range of recommendations for Council and community organisations. But for most people, keeping a few simple things to keep in mind when it gets hot will help you to Beat the Heat:

1) Keep out of the heat when you can

Stay in the coolest room in the house, especially at night
Spend at least 2-3 hours a day in a cool place
Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day
Minimise physical activity, especially during the day
Stay in the shade

2) Drink enough water and keep yourself cool

Take cool shower or baths
Use cold packs and wraps, wet towels, sponging, footbaths etc
Wear light loose fitting clothes made of natural materials
When outside wear a light coloured wide brimmed hat
Drink water regularly and avoid drinks with sugar or alcohol

3) Naturally cool your home

During the day, close windows and blinds (external blinds are the most effective)
At night, open windows and blinds (if safe) when the temperature cools
If you use air conditioning, close all doors and windows and do not set the temperature too low (you should still think it’s warm!)
If you use a fan, have it blowing across a tub of water
Maintain indoor plants

4) Talk to your health service if you have a health issue: you could be at risk

Keep medicines below 25°C or in the fridge (information should be on the medication packaging)
Seek medical advice if you are suffering from a medical condition (especially respiratory and heart problems) or taking multiple medications

5) Check in on those who may struggle in the heat, e.g. people over 65

Help anyone at risk to get advice and support – especially the elderly, mobility impaired or anyone who is sick and living alone
Checking in on an elderly neighbour or relative once a day could save their life

6) Help people who are feeling unwell

Try to get help if you or someone else feels dizzy, weak, anxious or has intense thirst and headache
Move to a cool place as soon as possible and rest
Drink water to rehydrate
If painful muscular spasms are being experienced or if someone has passed out, seek medical attention immediately

7) Check weather reports and stock up on food or other items beforehand so that the need to go out in the hot weather is reduced.

8) Instead of taking a cold shower to cool down, fill a shallow bowl or bucket with cool water. Either put your feet in so that the ankles are covered, or put your hands in so that the wrists are covered. Because the skin on the wrists and ankles have many blood vessels and are near the surface of the skin, this is a very effective way of cooling down without wasting water. Make sure the bucket or bowl is safe and away from small children or pets who could drown in even small amounts of water.

Council was funded by the Department of Human Services to run a pilot project on heatwave adaptation. The project outcomes will assist the development of the Victorian Heatwave Strategy, a State-wide climate change adaptation response.

Further information

Community Advocacy
c/o Richmond Town Hall,
333 Bridge Rd, Richmond
Telephone 9205 5160
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site
Beat the Heat translations
Community Grants Program
Snapshots of Aboriginal Fitzroy home
Snapshots of Aboriginal Fitzroy ()

External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)
Dictionary of Aboriginal place names of Victoria
Indigenous Online Network
Gary Foley's Koori History Website
Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria
Aboriginal Health Service