HEATWAVES CAN BE A KILLER
HOW TO BEAT EXTREME HEAT YOUR GUIDE
BEAT THE HEAT During the summer months it is important to look after yourself, especially during a heatwave. Heatwaves can kill more people than any other natural disaster but they do not have to be dangerous, uncomfortable or exhausting. This brochure features top tips to help keep you and your home cool, including:
1. Keep yourself cool
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Heatwaves require a different approach to managing your health.
2. Better manage your living space
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Close off the areas of your home you do not use to help keep it cooler for longer. Use the enclosed thermometer to help you keep track of the temperature in your home.
3. Simple improvements to your home
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There are a number of ways to improve the temperature of your home during summer, the key is to get organised before the hot weather arrives.
For more information visit www.heatwavehelp.com.au
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KEEP YOURSELF COOL Heatwaves require a different approach to managing your health. Talk to your doctor about what to do in a heatwave to ensure your medication won’t be affected and you don’t require additional treatment. Once that’s settled, here are some other ways to stay healthy in the heat:
• Have a cool drink Keeping hydrated is very important in hot weather. It’s easy to get dehydrated so it’s better to drink too much than not enough. It’s also best to drink water, as soft drink can be sugary and alcohol can impair your judgement.
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• Stay in the shade Direct sunlight will make you feel hotter and it will increase your risk of heatstroke and other heat-related effects. Avoid gardening on hot days, but if you need to go outside do it early in the morning or in the evening and make sure you wear a hat.
• Dress for the weather During hot weather wear shorts, t-shirts or light weight pants. Light colours are better than dark colours. You can also use a cool pack or wet cloth on your neck.
• Reduce your physical activity If you normally go for a walk or take part in an exercise class, it might be a good idea to have a break on hot days. Walking the dog can be dangerous for you and your pet’s health on hot days.
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• Go shopping before it gets hot If it gets really hot you may not be able to go to the shops. Make sure you keep an eye on the weather report and stock up on anything you need before a heatwave. Walking to the shops can also be dangerous for your health on hot days.
• If you have symptoms, make a call If you are dizzy, nauseous, have a bad headache, lose balance, get short of breath or just feel sick call Nurse on Call, your doctor or even an ambulance. You are not bothering them and they would prefer you call.
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• Take a break from the heat Even a short visit to a cooler location can help. Try your local library, shopping centre or visit someone who has air conditioning.
• Look after your pets Many people worry more about their pets than themselves. If possible, keep your pets inside with you where it is cooler. If you can’t do this, make sure they have plenty of water to drink. Animals are smart – they always find the coolest place to go.
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BETTER MANAGE YOUR LIVING SPACE Follow these smart ideas to keep your home cooler for longer or to make better use of your air conditioner: Thermometer (°C)
Extreme Heat: 36°+
• Look at your thermometer • Ensure you place this in your main living space (e.g. lounge room) • Turn on your air conditioning and/or fans when you see the temperature increase.
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Take immediate action • Cool yourself • Call for help if needed • Follow your Action Plan
Too Hot: 28°- 35° Take action • Turn on air con or fans • Cool yourself & your home
Comfortable: 22°- 27° Summer Guide
Comfortable: 18°- 21° Winter Guide
Too Cold: Less than 17° Increase heating More advice overleaf
• Zone off main living space Try to zone/close off the main living space where you spend most of your time. That way, you only have to cool one room. • Seal off external doors – Try putting a door snake along the bottom of external doors to stop hot air getting in. Remember it can be a trip hazard, so try getting a double-sided door snake that moves with the door. The door might already have a door seal, so take a look first. • Seal off internal doors – Close internal doors to other rooms you are not using. This reduces the air flow and makes it easier to cool the rooms you are using. You can also use a door snake to seal internal doors. If you have an open plan house close as many doors as you can. • Seal other draughts - Check windows to see if they close well or need sealing. If there are obvious draughts like a chimney or vents in the walls it would be good to try and reduce the air flow. It is best to get a professional to do this. • Try using a towel to block a window that lets a draught in. 7
• Avoid running the oven and other appliances that produce heat • Use a fan Fans are cheaper to run than air conditioners and if it isn’t too hot a fan may be all you need. Fans cool you rather than the room, so ensure you sit/lie down where the air will flow over you. Running a fan in your bedroom overnight can help keep you cool and sleep on a hot night.
• Use the air conditioner When it gets hot turn on your air conditioner. Run the air conditioner fan on high and keep the filter clean. If possible, sleep in the room where your air conditioner is when it is very hot.
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• Draw external blinds If you have external blinds pull them down early in the morning before the sun hits your windows. This will help reduce the amount of heat that enters your home and keep it cooler. Put the blinds up when the sun goes down to cool your home with the night breeze.
• Keep doors and windows closed Keep external doors and windows closed to reduce the hot air that is entering your house. Keep internal doors closed so the space you are trying to cool is smaller.
• Close the curtains Windows that get direct sunlight heat up a room. Generally, windows are a source of heat gain on hot days. Closing the curtains helps to reduce how much heat enters your house. When it cools down at night open the curtains and windows to let the night breeze cool your house. 9
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SIMPLE IMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR HOME A few simple and affordable improvements to your home can help keep it cool during summer. Simple changes will also help to keep your home warmer in winter and save you money on heating and cooling. All of these changes can be done by purchasing simple items from the hardware store or speak to your carer or a family member to help arrange a professional. It is important to make any home improvements before summer.
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1. External shading Shading is the best way to stop sun from hitting your windows. Shade your sunniest windows first - these will face north and west. • DIY blinds can be bought ‘off the shelf’ from your local hardware store in a variety of colours and sizes (blinds generally range in price from $80 to $130 each) • Heavy duty shade cloth varieties still allow you to see outside but block out the sun • Retractable or pulley arrangements are available • A local handyperson could install these for you • Ensure whoever is installing your blinds visits www.heatwavehelp.com.au to learn about ways to install blinds so they are more effective in keeping your home cool.
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2. Draught proofing Stopping draughts makes a huge difference to keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, as well as helping to keep your energy bills down. • Draughts exist around doors, windows, fireplaces, vents and come through cracks • There are many DIY low cost draught proofing products available at your local hardware store • Alternatively, contact a professional specialising in draught proofing to do an assessment of your home and install quality products
3. Internal curtains and blinds The next step is to insulate the windows from the inside. • This can be done with blinds/curtains or removable reflective screens such as Renshade • A pelmet, a narrow frame to conceal curtain fittings, can also make a big difference. These can be permanent or removable 12
4. Other improvements A home with good insulation remains cooler for longer in comparison to homes with no insulation. • A non-insulated roof can allow for 25 per cent of heat gain in a home compared to an insulated roof • Ceiling insulation is the most important
The Resilient Community Assets Project — a partnership between the Victorian Government and six local councils.
For more information visit www.heatwavehelp.com.au
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This publication was first issued by the City of Greater Bendigo. We gratefully acknowledge their goodwill in making this edition possible.
TAKE EMERGENCY ACTION When you feel affected by extreme heat, you need to know what emergency action to take.
VIDEOS & CASE STUDIES See what locals have done to address heatwave conditions.
HEATWAVE AWARENESS Be aware and understand the dangers of heatwaves and be prepared to take action.
KEEP YOURSELF COOL Be aware of heatwave conditions. Extended periods of extreme heat will impact on health risks.
IMPROVE YOUR HOME Understand the benefits of retrofits to your home and make necessary improvements to help keep your home cooler.
MANAGE YOUR LIVING SPACE Consider smart, simple and cost effective actions to maintain a comfortable home.
For more information visit www.heatwavehelp.com.au