Guys, if you’ve heard the news there’s a heatwave coming for the majority of Australia. Minimum temps look to be low 30s, all the way up to pretty much 50 degrees celsius (or above, they can’t be certain until it happens).
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What can you do?
>Stay hydrated.
Casual reminder that many softdrinks are diuretics (make you pee more frequently), and can actively dehydrate you faster. Drink water, if possible. Have some on you, or in the car, just in case.>Use ice cubes.
In drinks, in little plastic bags as an impromptu cool brick, as something to put in your mouth to cool down, as something to put in your pets’ bowls for them to lick and cool down.>Wear sunscreen.
No matter what skin colour you have, intense UV rays provide a threat to all of us. Australia has a high rate of skin cancer under normal circumstances, don’t tempt fate.
If you are in water, sweating, or working in the sun, make certain to reapply frequently.>No Fire.
Even now the Fire Warning Signs are obscenely high, do not light fires.
There are fire bans in place over the weekend, check in your local area.>Cold Bricks/Ice Blocks/Wet Towels
Utilise cold bricks or ice packs to keep yourself (or the more vulnerable) cool.
Wrap them in a damp towel or washer; it makes it more comfortable, and encourages animals to use them.
Eat ice blocks. Basic zooper doopers are great, but if you have young children there are electrolyte-rich ice blocks you can get for kids/elderly (most chemists have them).
Never underestimate the power of a wet towel, or a wet washer that’s been in the freezer for five minutes.
You can make impromptu ice bricks with soft drink bottles (see link below re: Keeping Pets Cool).>Use the Aircon Wisely
Some states are expressing concern about the utilisation of aircons and the power demand may leave homes without power (due to blackout). Keep it on 25/26 degrees, and use fans/alternate methods if you can, to keep cool.
Officials have asked you not use significant power during the hot points of the day (e.g. turn off devices on standby, don’t cook the minute you get home, don’t use excess power).>Wear appropriate attire.
Slip. Slop. Slap. And All.
Cover most of your skin, if you can, whilst outside; wear breathable clothing. And wear a hat. Less to burn like bacon as you commute.
If you are home, no one is stopping you from being naked… just shut the shades.>Showers/Baths
Are good ways to keep yourself and/or young children cool, if you don’t have access to the pool/beach. If at the beach, please stay within th flags. If you can’t swim, don’t tempt fate and wade out too far.>Roll down the windows before you drive.
5 minutes or so, open the doors, anything to cool the car down.
If you have a windowshield, use it. If not, just put a washer or towel on the steering wheel the night before or whenever you remember, it prevents you from burning your fingers when you go to drive out.>Only go out if you have to, don’t travel n the middle of the day unless you really need to.
>Have your medical professional/veterinarian’s number to hand.
If you are concerned, call them and ask.
Doctors and Vets field a lot of ‘is this okay?/do i need to come in?’ calls everyday, and especially in summer. If you’re not sure, ask a professional. If you are concerned, call.>Covering attire
To the Aussies out there who cover the majority of their bodies/wear headscarves, etc. Please be aware that the temperatures will be extreme, and take appropriate precautions, such as having water or a small handheld fan on your person. The more breathable the fabric, the better you’ll be.
But, like stated above, don’t go out if you don’t have to (unless you’re heading to somewhere with aircon).>Also, there are people who are sensitive to sudden temp changes, so if you’re moving in and out of heat/aircon, pay attention to small children, the ill and elderly. The Transition can sometimes exacerbate issues.
Sounds silly, but it happens.>If you have someone who has difficulty communicating or is non-verbal, please remember to pay closer attention during high temperatures as it may be difficult for them to express to you that they are experiencing distress. Signs of heatstroke and dehydration may not always be overt, until serious, which is the time when they will have the most difficulty communicating
>Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration, so make sure to have something that will replenish lost electrolytes and give you energy. Try to eat regularly, extreme heat can make you feel too lethargic to eat, but it’s important to have at least something small.
>If anyone is new to Australia, or visiting, and thinks we’re being ridiculous…
Listen, we’ve survived 50+ degree days before. It’s not a joke. It’s going to get would-prefer-death hot in some places and we want everyone, from the smallest joey through to the buffest roo, to make it.
Prepare, pay attention, Survive.–
[Mild-Moderate]
Dry, Sticky Mouth
Sleepiness or Tiredness
Dry Skin
Headache
Constipation
Dizziness or Lightheadedness
Few/No tears when crying (important for babies)
Minimal Urine (strong scent likely)
Dry, cool skin
Muscle Cramps[SEVERE]
Extreme Thirst
Irritability & Confusion
Sunken Eyes
Dry Skin that doesn’t bounce back when pinched
Low Blood Pressure
Rapid Heartbeat
Rapid Breathing
No tears when Crying
Fever
Little/No urination (urine darker than normal)
In serious cases: Delirium or unconsciousness–
Fainting
High Core Body Temperature
Throbbing Headache
Dizziness and Light-headedness
Lack of sweating despite intense heat
Red, Hot and Dry Skin
Muscle weakness or cramps
Nausea & Vomiting
Rapid Heartbeat, which may be either Strong or Weak
Rapid, Shallow Breathing
Behavioural Changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
Seizures
Uncnsciousness–
Most at risk: Animals/Pets, Elderly, Ill, Children,Pregnant Persons, Babies, Wildlife.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
>Call for medical assistance.
>Sit them down on a solid surface (if safe/unlikely to faint), or get them to sit on the floor.
>If someone has fainted, ‘get them up again’ is the worst thing you can do.
As my Parental Unit always says, “You can’t fall further than the ground, just make them safe where they fell”.
>Try to cool them down.
>Offer water.
>Listen to anything and everything that the emergency services person on the line tells you to do.–
>For pets, (see additional post for signs, symptoms, prevention), call your vet immediately and let them know you believe your furry family member is dehydrated or has heat stress.
>For clearly dehydrated/heatstressed wildlife, call the RSPCA (1300 ANIMALS/1300 264 625) to let them know you have injured/ill wildlife and they can dispatch assistance.
>You CAN leave water out for them, or even put ice cubes out where they can be lickable; depends on the level of trust you av with your backyard buddies.>Some wildlife will be amenable to having water offered to them directly while distressed (e.g. you may have seen photos of desperate koalas and wallabies drinking out of water bottles being offered by humans); so if it is safe, try that course of action. But remember that animals that are disorientated, ill or injured will be defensive and flighty.
>If you have something that they are likely to take shelter under/shade under, then leave the water there. Please remember not to bother the animals there, no matter how much you want to take pics or ‘try to pet them’…
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Additionally: Post on How to Keep Pets & Wildlife Cool
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Prepare. Be Aware. Survive.
She’ll Be Right isn’t an option when it comes to Extreme heat, mates.
quick extra: if you need to take your dog outside do not let it on any sort of pavement. Carry it to grass if you need to. Their paws will burn if the ground is hot enough to burn you.
Heatwave Heads-Up
Published
I reblogged to much to let it go away in like a day?? 