Authorities urge residents to stay cool and know the signs of heat-related illness. Photo: Lemon_tm.
Extreme and severe heatwave conditions will see the temperature continue to climb in coming days across the state with authorities warning residents to stay hydrated and check on vulnerable community members.
NSW residents are being urged to take precautions and watch out for symptoms of heat-related illness as much of the state swelters with temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s, with little overnight reprieve.
An extreme heatwave warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for the South Coast and a severe heatwave warning for the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains regions, with conditions set to peak on Friday and Saturday.
NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Steve Vaughan called on the community to plan ahead and be prepared while looking out for those more at risk.
“Stay hydrated, avoid the heat where possible, and check in on vulnerable people especially as it gets warmer over the next few days,” Chief Superintendent Vaughan said.
Severe heatwaves and hot weather cause more deaths in Australia than cyclones, bushfires or any other natural disaster.
Older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people with medical conditions are particularly at risk.
To minimise the risk of heat-related illness, people are advised to seek a place to keep cool, such as their home, a library, community centre or shopping centre and take cool showers, dress in light fabrics and drink plenty of water.
Activities should be scheduled in the coolest part of the day and exercise should be avoided in the heat.
Community members are reminded to never leave children or pets in a vehicle, with the act potentially fatal, as temperatures in parked cars can double in minutes.
It is also important to check on vulnerable people at greater risk of heat-related health problems, recognise the symptoms of illness and know what to do.
Headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and cramps are all signs of potential heat-related illness, and people with these symptoms should move out of the sun and seek shade or use a fan or air-conditioning, take a cool shower or bath if possible and take sips of water.
For people who do not respond to these steps or who show symptoms suggesting a more severe illness, including a sudden rise in body temperature, who are no longer sweating, showing aggressive or strange behaviour or who are fitting, you should seek urgent medical attention or call triple zero (000).
Conditions are expected to ease on Sunday with updates on the forecast and warnings available through the BOM website.
For further safety information before, during and after heatwaves, visit the NSW Ambulance website.
Original Article published by Keeli Dyson on Region Illawarra.
