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Please go to Heatwave | The Bureau of Meteorology for the latest information whenever the Bureau of Meteorology issues a Heatwave Warning. The Bureau updates its heatwave forecasts every afternoon at approximately 3:00pm.
Extreme heat can affect anyone. Those more at risk include:
- those over the age of 65
- young children and babies
- pregnant women
- people with acute or chronic health problems
- people who are socially isolated
- those with limited ways to keep cool.
Organisations should monitor their local weather conditions daily across summer from the Bureau of Meteorology’s Victoria Weather and Warnings (bom.gov.au) and follow their extreme heat plans.
Individuals and communities should also prepare for the coming heatwave. The Better Health Channel – Extreme Heat has information on how you can protect yourself and others.
There are steps you can take to protect yourself and others:
- Stay cool. Use air conditioning and/or a fan. Wear light and loose clothing. Keep skin wet, using a spray bottle or damp sponge and by taking cool showers. If you can’t keep cool at home, think about where you can go on hot days to cool down such as public pools or air-conditioned buildings.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Keep drinking fluids before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity.
- Check in with family, friends and neighbours. Let people know you are OK and check in with those at increased risk or who may need your support. Look out for those who might be more affected by extreme heat, like the those over the age of 65 years, babies and young children, pregnant women, people with acute or chronic health problems, those who are socially isolated or those with limited ways to keep cool.
- Plan ahead. Watch the weather forecast in your area and plan activities at cooler times of day.
- Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, adults, or pets in cars. The temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes.
- If needed, call Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 or contact Victorian Virtual Emergency Department at https://www.vved.org.au/.
- In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
You can find more information at:
- Bureau of Meteorology Heatwave Service for Australia – http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/heatwave/
- Department of Health – Heat health warnings – https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/heat-health-warning
- Better Health Channel – Extreme Heat – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat
- VicEmergency – https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/