The State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell APM, is urging the community across New South Wales to look after their health – and watch out for the vulnerable members of the community – as a wave of hot weather is forecast to impact parts of the State in the coming days.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe heatwave warning for the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Northern Tablelands, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, North West Slopes and Plains, and Central West Slopes and Plains Districts.
Severe heatwave conditions are expected to impact from tomorrow (Sunday 4 February 2024), with daytime temperatures forecast to be well above average. Maximum temperatures in the high-30s degC to low-40s degC are forecast during the day, with overnight minimum temperatures in the high teens to mid-20s degC.
The warning is in force until Monday (5 February 2024), when it will be reviewed and updated.
The Bureau is also forecasting large and powerful surf conditions, which are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing
For that latest weather forecasts and warnings visit: www.bom.gov.au
The following message details important whole-of-government information for the people of NSW.
NSW Health
Heatwaves can be dangerous for everyone’s health, but some people are more vulnerable including people over 65 years old, babies and young children, people with certain medical conditions, people who work outside, pregnant women, people who live alone or are socially isolated and people who are homeless.
There are a few simple things you can do to stay safe in a heatwave
• Avoid being outdoors in the hottest part of the day
• Keep your home cooler by using air-conditioning or electric fans and closing doors, windows, blinds, and curtains
• Limit your physical activity to early in the morning when it’s coolest
• Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly. If your doctor has restricted your fluid intake, ask them about how much you should drink when it is hot
• When outdoors, apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyes, face, and scalp
• Seek out cool places or air-conditioned public facilities in your local area, if you can safely travel without getting too hot.
It is also important to recognise the signs of heat-related illness.
Heat exhaustion is serious heat-related illness and is your body’s response to a loss of water and salt in hot weather, usually through excessive sweating or excessive physical activity. Symptoms include pale skin, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, fainting, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, decreased urine output. If you experience these symptoms and they do not improve, seek medical care. Call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222. If symptoms are worsening, and you are concerned about heat stroke, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness. In extreme heat, your body’s ability to cool itself down can fail, causing your body temperature to increase to a dangerous level. If left untreated, this can result in permanent disability or death. Heat stroke requires immediate medical emergency care. Symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, agitation and altered mental state, profuse sweating or hot, dry skin, muscle twitching or seizures, rapid breathing, a quick strong pulse or very high body temperature. Heat stroke is extremely dangerous and can quickly threaten life. If you are concerned about heat stroke, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/beattheheat for information on how to stay safe during a heatwave.
If you live in an area where a bushfire is possible, check and follow any emergency warnings associated with threats from bushfires. Prepare now for your health and the health of those around you this bushfire season.
NSW Ambulance
If you’re experiencing mild symptoms of heat exhaustion
• Get out of the heat to a cooler area indoors or shaded area outdoors
• Loosen or remove clothing
• Start to cool down any way you can: use a cold-water spray, apply a cool, damp sponge or cloth, wet clothes and skin, have a cool shower or bath, apply ice packs or crushed ice in a damp towel on the neck, groin and armpits
• Drink water
• Symptoms may include confusion, slurred speech, agitation and altered mental state, profuse sweating or hot, dry skin, muscle twitching or seizures, rapid breathing, a quick strong pulse or very high body temperature.
If symptoms do not improve, seek medical care. Call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
If symptoms are worsening and you are concerned about heat stroke, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Rural Fire Service and Fire Rescue NSW
Fire agencies are urging those that live or are visiting bush fire prone areas to know
• Your local Fire Danger Rating
• Have a plan of action in the event a bush or grass fire
• If there’s a heightened risk, be alert for fires in your area
• Review and discuss your bush fire survival plan with family and friends
• Know what you will do if fire threatens
• If a fire starts, your life and property may be at risk
• The safest option is to avoid bush fire-risk areas, and
• Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Stay up-to-date on bush fires in your area by checking the Hazards Near Me app, the RFS website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au , listen to your local radio station, or by calling the RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000).
NSW Police Force
With high temperatures expected across the state, police are asking the community to keep their cool.
For commuters, traffic delays and the heat generally has the potential to frustrate drivers with slower conditions on the road; so please be patient.
Never leave children, the elderly or vulnerable people, or pets in cars, even if the windows are down. Heat inside a vehicle can become extreme in a very short time and pose a life-threatening risk to those unable to free themselves from a vehicle.
We know many people will want to head to the beach, a local swimming hole or swim in your backyard pool so please be careful and keep a watchful eye over children especially when they are near the water: all children need to be supervised.
Anyone who sees suspicious or illegal behaviour should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au information is treated in strict confidence.
The best advice is if you don’t need to be out – stay at home.
Above all, look after yourself and those around you. If you need urgent assistance call Triple Zero (000).
