Beat the summer heat

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.
drink-cool-water
beat-the-heat

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.
take-care
checklist

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.
JargonPlain Language
Pre-opBefore surgery
ECGElectrical picture of your heart
PRNWhen needed
SupineOn back
Discharge planningMaking a plan to get out of hospital
FastDo not eat during this time
SatsOxygen in blood
RestorationFilling
FractureBreak
PathologySomething is not working right
Verbal comprehensionUnderstanding what other people are saying
FebrileHigh temperature
IVFDrip
GaitWalking pattern
BilateralBoth sides
AbstainDon’t do
UF goalHow much fluid we want to take off
Primary health assessmentHealth check with GP
ProphylacticTo prevent
QID4 times a day
PivotChanging from an old strategy
AF(atrial fibrillation) Heart flutter/irregular heart rate
Nil by mouthNothing to eat or drink
Upper limbsArms
ScreeningChecking/testing
DyspnoeaShortness of breath
AnalgesiaPain relief

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