Stay safe in the heat this long weekend

Published on 25 January 2018

Hobart will experience a heatwave over the Australia Day long weekend, with temperatures expected to reach the mid 30's.

Keeping yourself, family and pets safe in the heat can be difficult. If you plan on being out in the sun this weekend, keep the following tips in mind.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks, alcohol and caffeine.

Check on others: Check on relatives and friends at risk, such as the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions. Check they are managing and not affected by the heat.

Cool your house: drawing the blinds or curtains is a simple way to keep your house from getting too hot.

Minimise sun: Keep out of the sun as much as possible when outside, wear light protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and use plenty of sunscreen.

Children can die in hot cars: Never leave children in cars in the sun.

Pets: Keep your pets out of the sun with plenty of cool water to drink. Never leave pets in cars in the sun.

Seek medical advice: Heat illness can be serious. In a life threatening emergency don’t wait, call triple zero (000) for help

You can download the Department of Health and Human Service's “Are you Prepared for the Heat” brochure here

The RSPCA has an information sheet for pet owners, which can be downloaded here: How to prevent heatstroke in my pet.

 For more information on how to stay safe during a heatwave, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.