With heatwave conditionsexpected for New Year’s eve, NSW Healthis urging people to plan ahead to avoid the very real threat of heat relatedillness.
Temperatures are expected to riseabove 40 degrees in many places and people outside celebrating the new yearneed to take proper precautions to avoid becoming easily dehydrated andoverheating.
If going out for New Year’s eveplan your day carefully:
· Carry plenty of water with you todrink regularly throughout the day
· Stay in the shade as much aspossible
· Cover up with a hat, sunscreenand loose cool clothing
· Look out for your friends
· Minimise exercise in thehottest part of the day, especially if it’s smoky
· Avoid too many sugary andalcoholic drinks
· If you have asthma, remember topack your reliever medication
If staying in, then prepare yourhome:
· Draw the blinds and curtains tokeep out the sun
· Shut the doors and windows tokeep hot and smoky air outside
· Use air-conditioning or fans tokeep cool
Peoplewith heart and breathing conditions should reduce outdoor physical activitywhen there’s smoke around. People with asthma should follow their Asthma ActionPlan and carry their relieving medication with them.
Don’tforget to call in on elderly friends, neighbors and relatives in the heat tocheck they are also keeping cool and drinking enough water.
Alcohol and heat combined can really challenge your body, so keep atab on your alcohol consumption. Set a limit on howmany drinks you’ll haveand alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones.
“Many drink serving sizes or premixed bottles are more than one standard drink, soyourblood alcohol contentmay rise more quicklythan you think,” Dr JeremyMcAnulty, Acting Chief Health Officer, NSW Health said.
“Check the label on the drink container for standard drink information or pour yourown drinks so you know how much you have consumed. Test your knowledge onNSW Health’s’Your Room’ – youmay be surprised.”
You can also contact NSW Health’s Get Healthy Information and CoachingService for support in staying healthy into the New Year at:.
