Heat health warning for Cape Peninsula

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PROTECT YOURSELF - extreme heatwave for Cape Peninsula as at 5:30pm, 26 November 2024

Warning level: EMERGENCY WARNING

The Bureau of Meteorology advises that extreme heatwave conditions are impacting the Cape Peninsula.

Extreme heatwave conditions have reached a severity that may pose a health risk to parts of Cape Peninsula, including Thursday Island and Weipa.

Low to severe heatwave conditions will also be experienced from the Cape Peninsula region down to the Cairns region and surrounding areas.

Make sure you know what to do when there is a heatwave warning in your area. Stay informed by visiting the Heatwave Service for Australia website.

Take the below measures to keep yourself and your loved ones safe:

Plan and prepare

  • Monitor the weather using Bureau of Meteorology's Heatwave Service.
  • Store food and medication at a safe temperature.
  • Plan ahead if the electricity goes out.
  • Know who to call if you need help.
  • Follow your doctor’s advice if you have any medical conditions.

Stay as cool as possible

  • Try to be indoors during the hottest part of the day.
  • Close windows and doors to keep the heat out.
  • Use air conditioning.
  • Avoid or reduce strenuous activities.
  • If you have to go outside, be sun safe by wearing a hat, long sleeves and light clothing, seeking shade where possible and applying sunscreen every two hours.

Drink water regularly and stay hydrated

  • Drink water (between 6-8 glasses each day).
  • Avoid alcoholic, hot or sugary drinks including tea and coffee (they can make dehydration worse).
  • Urine colour is a good guide to hydration – it should be clear to light straw-colour.
  • If you go outside, carry a bottle of water with you.

Look out for each other

  • Keep in contact with elderly friends, neighbours and relatives during a heat wave in case you, or they, need help.
  • Don’t leave children or pets in parked cars.

Heat stress can cause a range of health problems, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If you are concerned you, or your loved one, is affected by one of these, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25) or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

For more information about heat-related illness, as well as tips on understanding your risk and caring for vulnerable people (including the elderly, pregnant or young kids) in hot weather, visit the Queensland Government website.

Queensland Health will issue an update if health advice changes.

Last updated: 26 November 2024