Australia struck by heatwave – here’s how to stay safe and cool
Aussies are being reminded to keep cool and stay safe as much of the country is struck by extreme heat. Here are some ways you can play it cool during a heatwave
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Heatwave conditions are expected to strike much of the country this week as the nation heads into the holiday period.
With many schools already out for Christmas, Australians are being reminded to stay safe and keep cool as the mercury rises well above 30 degrees.
NSW residents sweltered again on Tuesday following a hot weekend where at least 20 homes were destroyed as a result of bushfires.
Temperatures soared past the high 30s to low 40s in the north and parts of the east coast of NSW as well as parts of the Hunter and metropolitan Sydney.
“Those dry, hot conditions are going to drive high fire dangers through many of our eastern and inland districts,” said Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) meteorologist* Miriam Bradbury.
In Queensland, wet and wild weather made way for hot and mostly dry conditions on Tuesday.
Temperatures reached the high 30s and low 40s in the inland and western parts of the state, while the mercury hovered around the low to mid 30s along the entire east coast.
“Fresh and gusty westerly winds” were expected to continue in Tasmania, which has been battling bushfires.
At least 19 homes have been destroyed and 14 others have sustained damage across Dolphin Sands in Tasmania’s south east, as strong winds combined with dry conditions, creating ideal circumstances for fires to spread.
The forecast suggested Tasmanians would have to continue with average winds of 50-60 km/h with “damaging” gusts of up to 100km/hr also possible.
“Unfortunately that’s in the same areas where we’ve had those ongoing fires late last week, so that’s going to be of concern,” BOM meteorologist Dean Narramore told NewsWire.
Victoria will welcome the warmth this week as temperatures sizzle in the state, before another cool change drags the mercury back down.
“Pretty mild and settled week for Victoria,” Mr Narramore said.
It’s not just the east coast subjected to gruelling heat this week, as a severe heatwave warning settles over Western Australia.
The bureau has issued an extreme heatwave warning for the Kimberley region and severe warning for the Pilbara and North Interior, as the mercury is forecast to exceed the mid 40s this week.
Areas impacted include Balgo Hill, Fitzroy Crossing, Karratha, Marble Bar and Port Hedland.
As for Perth, residents can expect more sunshine and heat as temperatures climb to the low 30s all week.
“Severe to extreme heatwave conditions in northern WA … (Tuesday, which) will kind of ease, but then spread south and eastwards across much of inland Australia during the week,” Mr Narramore said.
“Some of that heat will then pull down into southeastern Australia by the end of the week as well.”
Parts of South Australia were due to swelter, with temperatures to hit the low 40s across inland and northern areas.
While the southern parts of the state would remain cooler, temperatures were up to two degrees higher than the December average in Adelaide.
STAYING SAFE IN A HEATWAVE
It’s important to take steps to prepare for extreme heat events so that you and your family can stay safe and avoid heat-stress* or heat-stroke*. Here are Kids News’ top tips:
* Head to the coast – the beach is free and coastal areas are significantly cooler than inland suburbs and regions when a heatwave hits. Don’t forget your beach umbrella and sunscreen.
* Visit the movies – Christmas ‘tis the season of new releases at the cinema. Volunteer for some extra jobs at home to earn a pocket money boost, then meet a mate for a matinee* and make the most of airconditioned comfort and Choc Tops
* Don’t forget to ask your parents if they’ve cleared the gutters recently – removing leaf litter and other combustible* material from around your home helps keep it safe in the event of a neighbourhood fire
The ACT Government also provides sensible steps you can take to stay safe:
* Drink plenty of water – keep a drink bottle on you so you can stay hydrated
* Avoid sitting in hot cars – the temperature inside a parked car can double within one minute so make sure you, your siblings and your pets are never left to wait inside a parked car on a hot day while your parents are out running errands
* Stay in cool places – seek out airconditioned places to hang out, use a fan, take a cool shower or bath and wear light clothes
* Plan ahead – don’t go out during the hottest part of the day, plan to do things early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it’s not as hot
* Look after others – check in on older relatives and neighbours and make sure they are OK during the heat
* Know the signs – know the symptoms of heat stress and heat stroke so you can seek medical help if you or a family member or friend are unwell
POLL
GLOSSARY
- meteorologist: a scientist who studies the weather
- heat-stress: when your body takes in more heat than it can release, making you feel unwell. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and muscles cramps
- heat-stroke: if heat stress isn’t treated it can lead to heat stroke, which can be serious and life threatening. Symptoms are a high body temperature, slurred speech, confusion, sweating, headache, dizziness, seizure and muscle twitching
- matinee: a daytime screening
- combustible: something that catches on fire easily
EXTRA READING
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Tiger iceblocks and other heat hacks for a hot Earth
Strange new idea to cool Earth
QUICK QUIZ
What states will be affected by a heatwave this week?
Which two states are being impacted by bushfires?
What are two things you can do to stay safe in a heatwave?
Why should you never stay in a parked car when it’s hot?
Why are the movies a good place to go when it’s hot?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Heatwave friendly town
Design a town map with features that protect people during heatwaves around Australia. What things does your town need to have to help protect people if you live in a hot climate? Some things to consider including could be;
- Shaded bus stops
- Cool community centres
- Water stations
- Tree-lined paths
- Heat-reflective playgrounds
- Emergency cool rooms
Sketch your town map with all your features and share with your classmates. Be as creative an imaginative as you like for your fictional town!
Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: Visual Arts, Design and Technologies, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
What could you do for a more elderly person or someone living alone in your neighbourhood when heatwave conditions are coming up in your area?
Time: allow 5 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
Creative vocabulary
Find a bland sentence from the article to up-level. Can you add more detail and description? Can you replace any ‘said’ words with more specific synonyms?
Have you outdone yourself and used some really great vocabulary throughout your writing? Firstly, well done. Secondly, let’s ensure everyone can understand it by adding a glossary of terms. Pick three of your wow words and create a glossary for each word to explain what it means.