SIX SIMPLE COOL TIPS– Sleep in the coolest spot in your house; it might not be the bedroom

– A small spray bottle filled with water is great for keeping cool especially for children

– Add a slice of lemon and ice cubes to your water

– Set your air conditioners to the cool setting

– Register older family with Red Cross Telecross REDi service on 1800 188 071

– Make sure pets have many bowls of water with ice cubes, cool spots and shade. Bring them inside during the day.

An emergency kit can help you stay safe and well. My emergency kit has:

Bottled water

An electrolyte replacement drink

Battery- powered radio with spare batteries

Torch with spare batteries

First aid kit

Cool packs or spray bottle filled with water

Important papers including emergency contact numbers

Prescription medication

Mobile phone and charger

HEATWAVE

EMERGENCY KIT

For life-threatening emergency

Triple Zero (000) For emergency assistance

132 500For more information

1800 362 361ses.sa.gov.au

2019

AFTER A HEATWAVE

– Keep drinking plenty of water

and make sure others do

– Rest, the effects of heatwaves on

your body last for some days

– Open doors and windows where safe,

to cool your house

– Avoid large trees as they can drop

branches after a heatwave.

Look out for this symbol in the media, social media and web. This means a heatwave may be coming or a heatwave warning has been announced by the State Emergency Service.

For more information on preparing for and surviving a heatwave, visit sa.gov.au/heatwaves

Heatwaves are periods of continuous hot weather, with hot days and more than three hot nights. Heatwaves bring risks to health and wellbeing. Anyone can be affected. People with existing health conditions can become ill very quickly during heatwaves.

Knowing what to do can help keep you, your family and others safe and well. BEFORE A HEATWAVE

– Plan your days to avoid going out

during the hottest part of the day

– Prepare a cool room in your house using

air conditioning, fans, curtains and blinds

– Locate a cool place in your area such

as a shopping centre or library if you

don’t have air conditioning

– Know the signs of heat-related

illness such as dehydration

– Make sure you have enough food for family

and pets, drinks and medication

– Stay in touch with heatwave alerts on the

radio, television and social media

– Think about how you will keep your pets

cool and healthy.

DURING A HEATWAVE

Keep cool

– Close windows, blinds and curtains

in the morning

– Do your outdoor activities in the early

morning or evening when it’s cooler

– Wear loose light-coloured clothing,

a wide-brimmed hat, sunnies and

sunscreen when outside

– Cool showers, a small wet towel, cool packs

or a spray bottle help with cooling

– Use your air conditioners and fans

– Spend time in a cool place such as a

shopping centre, library or cinema if you

don’t have air conditioning.

Stay hydrated

– Drink plenty of water, carry water with you

– Have less coffee, tea, alcohol and soft or

energy drinks.

Check that

– Babies, small children, older people and

people with certain health conditions are

drinking enough water through the day

– Family, neighbours and friends are using

air conditioning or fans to keep cool. Never leave children or animals alone in a parked car