Heatwaves

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
• 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

Things you can do to help reduce the impact of heat

• Plan ahead to protect your health in the heat. Plan activities for the coolest part of the day or plan them for another day. Plan to do activities in known cool places. 
• 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).
• Check in on others regularly. Look after those most at risk in the heat – your neighbour living alone, older people, those with a disability, the young, people with a medical condition, pregnant and nursing mothers and don’t forget your pets.
• Keep yourself cool by using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water and taking cool (not cold) showers. You don’t need to cool your whole home during high heat. Close windows and doors and only use the coolest rooms in the property with a fan or air conditioner on low speed.
• Be prepared for power outages. Heatwaves can cause power outages. Make sure you have a plan in place in case the power goes out, such as having a battery-operated fan.
• Protect your pets, make sure your pets have clean, cool water and shade. If the ground is too hot to rest the back of your hand against, it is too hot for your pet’s paws.
• After a heatwave the body can take at least three days to fully recover so continue regularly drinking plenty of water, keep cool and slowly get back to your normal routine.

Heat Related Illness

Heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion which can lead to the life-threatening condition, 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.

Heat cramps

Symptoms

• Muscle pains.
• Spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.

What to do

• Stop activity and sit quietly in a cool place.
• Drink cool water.
• Rest a few hours before returning to activity.
• See a doctor if cramps persist.

Heat exhaustion

Symptoms

• Pale complexion and sweating.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Muscle cramps and weakness.
• Dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fainting.

What to do

• Go to a cool are and lie down.
• Fan if possible.
• Drink cool water if not vomiting.
• Remove outer clothing.
• Wet skin with cool water or wet cloths.
• See a doctor.

Heat stroke - a life threatening emergency

Symptoms

• Same symptoms as heat exhaustion except sweating stops.
• Mental condition worsens, confusion.
• Seizure.
• Stroke-like symptoms or collapsing.
• Unconsciousness.

What to do

• Call and ambulance phone 000.
• Get the person to a cool area and lay them down.
• Remove clothing.
• Wet skin with water fanning continuously.
• Positions an unconscious person on their side and clear their airway.

For more information about staying safe during a heatwave visit Heatwave – Emergency Prepare and How to cope and stay safe in extreme heat - Better Health Channel. 

Water Fountains within Greater Dandenong

Drinking water is crucial during hot weather. There are many free water fountains located across Greater Dandenong – use the below map to find the nearest water station when you are out and about.