Many visitors to our beautiful North Coast don’t realise the dangers of sun and heat exposure.
Here are some simple things you can do to enjoy your holiday and stay healthy.
01
Drink plenty of water
- Staying hydrated can help you keep cool. We also sweat more in the heat, so it’s important to drink more water than usual to replace the fluid we lose.
- Carry a water bottle with you. You can refill it from the public drinking fountains you’ll find close to many of our parks and beaches.
02
Keep it cool
- Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day (10am – 4pm).
- If you do need to go out in the sun, wear a hat, sunglasses and long sleeves.
- Before you go outside, apply a sunscreen with at least SPF30+.
- Keep it cool indoors by using fans or air conditioning, keeping curtains closed and opening doors and windows when it is safe to do so.
03
Take care of others
It is important to check up on others with a higher risk of heat illness:
- People with a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease.
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- People who are living by themselves or don’t have social support (e.g. travellers).
- People over 75.
04
Have a plan
Be prepared for a heatwave.
- Check the local weather forecast.
- Make sure you have somewhere cool to store medication. Some medications like insulin don’t work if they have been left in a hot car.
- Have a list of emergency numbers – the emergency number in Australia is 000.
- Put some water bottles or cool packs in the freezer the night before.
Northern NSW Health Literacy Project acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands across our region and pays respect to the Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise these lands were never ceded and acknowledge the continuation of culture and connection to land, sky and sea. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First Peoples and honour the rich diversity of the world’s oldest living cultures.