Proactivity is key to being heatwave ready this summer

Most of us love the warmer weather and lifestyle that go hand-in-hand with an Australian summer, but it’s important to be aware of the impact extreme heat can have on our health and well-being – particularly seniors.

To help you and your loved ones ensure you are heatwave ready, we’ve compiled some ‘hot tips’ below.

Important first steps

Firstly, be sure to have a heatwave preparedness plan in place. This means knowing who to call for help if you are struggling during the heat.

If you have any underlying medical conditions, it’s strongly advisable to contact your General Practitioner (GP) for personalised advice on how to best manage your health during these conditions.

Similarly, if you or someone you know feels unwell due to the extreme heat, seek immediate medical advice by contacting your/their GP, or visiting the nearest hospital. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Continue to regularly monitor weather forecasts, local authorities, and any other reliable sources to keep abreast of active or upcoming heatwave warnings.

We also strongly recommend you have an emergency kit easily accessible with essential items such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, necessary medications, and important documents.

And finally, it’s important to ensure you are fully aware of any bushfire warnings and evacuation plans, particularly if you live in a higher-risk area. For more information relating to bushfire readiness, click here.

Understand your health and medications

Did you know that some medications can lose potency/effectiveness during extreme heat conditions?

Most medications should be stored below 25 degrees Celsius. If you have any queries relating to your prescriptions, chat to your GP or pharmacist about correct storage temperatures.

Preparing your home

Ensuring your home is ready for summer’s soaring temperatures is also imperative.

Handy tips include checking that fridges, freezers, fans, and air-conditioners are functioning properly, setting your air conditioning to cool and checking that it’s working efficiently, and stocking up on essential supplies like food, water (for both you and your fury friends), and medicines to last at least a week.

In addition, keep cool packs in the fridge or freezer to help you cool down, fill spray bottles with cool water to spray on your face and body, and ensure your home can be ventilated with cross breezes (without compromising security of course).

Consider external awnings, blinds, shutters, shade cloth, or other materials to prevent the sun from shining directly on windows, install, update, or adapt curtains or blinds to block out direct sunlight and reduce heat absorption, and insulate your house to help maintain a comfortable temperature all year round.

Finally, try to reduce the need to go out during a heatwave. If someone can go out for you, don’t hesitate to ask for help. The less exposure you have these conditions, the better.

Committed to your safety and well-being

In summer, as always, your health, safety, and wellbeing are our top priorities. We strongly encourage you to take these precautions and reach out to healthcare professionals for personalised guidance on managing your health during extreme heat.

Stay safe, stay cool, and take care of you and your loved ones.

Need more information? Feel free to reach out to our dedicated team on 1300 090 256 for further details about how you can be heatwave ready.