We all know the Australian summer can be brutally hot at times, but did you know that heat kills more Australians than any natural disaster?

In 2009 and again in 2014, major heatwaves negatively impacted the health of Victorians. In both instances, heatwaves resulted in significant loss of life, with an estimated 374 excess deaths in 2009 and 167 in 2014.

Extreme heat can affect anybody. Those most at risk are older people, young children and people with a medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes. Most reported illness and death is due to the effect of heat on those who are already ill.

Heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion which can lead to the life-threatening condition, heatstroke. Heatstroke is fatal in up to 80% of cases.

If you or someone you know is unwell, see your doctor. Click here to see our opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period, and check here for what to do if we are closed. Don’t forget that in an emergency, you should call 000.

Survive the heat this summer with these five simple tips:

Drink plenty of water
Never leave anyone in a car
Stay somewhere cool
Plan ahead
Check in on others

Read on for more details for each of these tips.

Drink plenty of water

Keep a full drink bottle with you.
Take small sips of water frequently.
If your doctor normally limits your fluids, check how much you should drink during hot weather.

Never leave anyone in a car

Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars – the temperature can double in minutes.
Visit the Never Leave Kids in Cars page for more information on kids in hot cars.

Stay somewhere cool

Spend as much time as possible in cool or air-conditioned buildings (shopping centres, libraries, cinemas or community centres).
Keep yourself cool by using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water and taking cool (not cold) showers.
Block out the sun at home during the day by closing curtains and blinds.
Open the windows when there is a cool breeze.
Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.
If you must go out, wear a hat and sunscreen and take a bottle of water with you.
Dress yourself and those in your care lightly.
Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like cotton and linen.
Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads.
Make sure food that needs refrigeration is properly stored.
Avoid intense activity like exercise, renovating and gardening.
Watch or listen to news reports for more information.
Don’t forget your pets – a cool bath, wet towel to lie on, a place next to a fan and plenty of fresh water work just as well for animals.

Plan ahead

Keep up to date with weather forecasts – watch the news daily, check the BOM forecast online and read the current heat health alert on health.vic.
Cancel non-essential outings and plan essential activities for the coolest part of the day.
Stock up on food, water and medicines so you don’t have to go out in the heat.
Visit your doctor to check if changes are needed to your medicines during extreme heat.
Store medicines safely at the recommended temperature.
Check that your fan or air-conditioner works well. Have your air-conditioner serviced if necessary.
Prepare for power failures - ensure you have a torch, battery-operated radio, fully charged mobile phone or battery back-up, food items that don’t require refrigeration, medications, plenty of drinking water and other essential items.
Look at the things you can do to make your home cooler such as installing window coverings, shade cloths or external blinds on the sides of the house facing the sun.

Check in on others

Look after those most at risk in the heat – your neighbour living alone, older people, young children, people with a medical condition and don’t forget your pets.

Keep in touch with friends and family who may need help. Call or visit them at least once on any extreme heat day.
Encourage them to drink plenty of water.
Offer to help family, friends and neighbours who are aged over 65 or have an illness by doing shopping or other errands so they can avoid the heat.
Take them somewhere cool for the day or have them stay the night if they are unable to stay cool in their home.
If you observe symptoms of heat-related illness, seek medical help.

Enjoy the summer, but please stay healthy!