Here’s how you can beat the heat this season
With summer just around the corner, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is urging Australians to prepare for a dry, hot season.
As Queenslanders have already experienced a heatwave earlier this month, it’s expected temperatures will soar again.
Here’s how you can prepare for the heat this summer.
What we can expect
According to BOM, Australia can expect warm days and nights over the next three months.
“November to January days are very likely to be warmer than average for most of Australia. Nights are also likely to be warmer than average, except for areas surrounding the Great Australian Bight,” the BOM website explains.
“Chances of a warmer three months are greater than 80% over most of the mainland. Nights are also likely to be warmer than average across Australia, except for southeast WA, southern SA and western Victoria, where the chances of warmer or cooler nights are roughly equal.”
So far this month, temperatures in parts of southern Queensland have already hit 40C, while areas of Brisbane have soared above 30C.
According to Queensland Ambulance Service director of clinical quality and patient safety Tony Hucker, people are being urged to keep those most vulnerable such as the elderly, children and pets hydrated, rested and cooled down.
“Heat stress or heat exhaustion is easily treatable,” Mr Hucker said.
“Heat stroke is very dangerous. This is at the end point of the heat-related illness spectrum, and it’s dangerous – fundamentally, your organs start breaking down and you can die. So, it’s so important not to let people get to that level of illness.”
Tips to beating the heat
If you’re attending festivities this holiday season, make sure you consider the heat while celebrating.
“Alcohol, hot sun, and having fun is a dangerous combination so it’s all in moderation,” Mr Hucker said.
“In among the drinking of champagne, drink lots of water and if you’re out in the sun, minimise the amount of alcohol and increase the amount of water and you should be okay.”
Also remember to wear looser-fitting clothing, sun protection, and drink plenty of water.
