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/

The Hunter Heatwave

BY: ALEX MURRAY

This week temperates are expected to soar to 41 degrees with the high thirties for a number of days throughout the Hunter region.

Health professionals say during this heatwave, the vulnerable members of the community such as the elderly and small children will have the most adverse health effects.

Heat has a significant strain on the community as a whole with dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion having serious impacts on people's health and safety.

Health professionals are warning everyone to hydrate and plan their day based on the hottest periods while looking out for their neighbours and family members dealing with the heat.

Hunter New England Health physician, Dr Kat Taylor says, "Heat can seriously interfere with blood circulation and therefore causes dehydration and heatstroke."

"While heat-related illness can affect anyone there are certain groups of people that are particularly vulnerable such as older people, infants and children, people with a chronic medical condition and those who live alone."

"It can certainly put a strain on health services as well, a NSW health study this year found that extreme heatwaves can lead to a more than ten percent increase in both deaths and ambulance callouts."

"We urge people to look after themselves in the heat, to avoid going out in the middle of the day and to stay cool and keep themselves hydrated."

"Drink plenty of water and carry some with you when you're out and about while minimising unnecessary physical activity."

IMAGE SOURCE: The New Daily