Calls for bigger emphasis on Hunter bubs in bushfire response

BY BILLE KAAL

Red Cross Australia is encouraging residents with young children to begin planning for potential disasters, as the Hunter enters its bushfire and flood season. 

Although the Bushfire Danger Season kicks off on October 1 for the majority of New South Wales, some LGAs in the Hunter entered the period back in September. 

A survey conducted by the University of Western Sydney and the Australian Breastfeeding Association has found there are significant challenges faced by parents with young children when it comes to preparation and evacuation due to disasters. 

Younger children and babies have specific needs, and often places like evacuation centres can not always fulfil them. 

Red Cross National Resilience Advisor John Richardson has some advice for parents and guardians to consider when looking to plan for these potential disasters. 

''Think about what you might need particularly as a parent of a baby or a young child. Have you got wipes, nappies, comforters or the ability to sterilize?" he said. 

"The other thing we recommend is people make sure they have got identity documents. Things such as birth certificates and immunization records." 

Mr Richardson hopes better planning will help ensure that children's needs are not overlooked when faced with difficulty from potential disasters. 

State Heatwave Plan Activated Ahead of Temperature Hike

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

Prepare to be hit by mammoth temperatures this week as an Australia-wide heatwave hits.

The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated temperatures are expected to rise over the coming days, hitting temperatures above 40 degrees.

According to The Bureau of Meteorology, the Hunter region will get the worst of the heat from January 16th to 17th with the predicted temperature registering as extreme.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy says that as the weather heats up "to take extra care," and warns motorists not to leave pets, children or vulnerable people in cars.

"As the weather heats up, I cannot stress enough to motorists that it's not only an offence for children or pets to be left unattended in a vehicle, it can be deadly.

"It can be just as dangerous to leave the elderly and disabled members of the community in cars during days of extreme heat," Deputy Commissioner Loy said.

The Red Cross is also urging people to take extra care and follow some simple tips to stay cool; drink regularly, eat little and often, stay indoors, take cool showers, find areas of shade, and maintain air flow.

Australian Red Cross' National Emergency Services Manager Andrew Coghan warns that heatwaves can be just as harmful for people as natural disasters.

"Extremely hot weather can cause serious health problems - most people don't know that more Australians have died as a result of heatwaves than because of floods, bushfires or cyclones".

Extreme heat can also cause disruptions to other aspects of daily life such as electricity cuts, school and workplace closures and disruptions to public transport.

For more information and tips visit the Beat the Heat website or the Bureau of Meteorology.

http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/heatwave/