As the Hunter steps into the first day of a five-day extreme heatwave authorities have issued warnings on every front – from how to cover babies to keeping yourself and your pets hydrated.
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Temperatures across the region are forecast to sit in the low 40s until late Saturday and are expected to take a toll not only on residents and animals but also on the region’s power supply.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) expects the heat to peak Wednesday and continue Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
NSW Police have activated a NSW sub plan with the State Emergency Operations Controller urging residents to monitor weather reports and follow health and safety advice.
“I cannot stress strongly enough to motorists that it’s not only an offence for children or pets to be left unattended in a vehicle, it can be deadly,” said NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy.
“It can be just as dangerous to leave the elderly and disabled members of the community in cars during days of extreme heat.” If you see pets, children or vulnerable people located in a car, phone Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Deputy Commissioner Loy said one of the other main concerns is that the school holidays are only halfway through and there are thousands of tourists, campers, and other holidaymakers in unfamiliar environments. He urged people to take extreme caution when swimming at the beach or in rivers and dams.
The BOM said widespread low intensity heatwave conditions are forecast across large parts of the country and over NSW – conditions will be extreme over eastern NSW.
Ausgrid is urging customers to prepare for the high temperatures. A spokesperson said emergency crews are also ready to respond if there are any unplanned outages during the hot weather.
A warning has also been issued for parents to be careful how they cover babies in prams.
Queensland Children’s Hospital director of paediatric medicine Dr David Levitt said research shows that parents who cover prams with towels, blankets and other light materials could create the same effect as a child or pet trapped in a hot car. Covering prams impair airflow and cause heat to build increasing a baby’s risk of heat suffocation and cause temperatures to rise by 15C. Hot weather can affect your baby or child because their bodies cannot adjust to changes in temperature as well as adults.
Animals need constant access to water and shade during this heatwave. Heat stress can develop quickly so pets must stay cool, hydrated and safe. The RSPCA recommends allowing outdoor animals to come inside.
