HEALTH ALERT Protect yourself against extreme heat

UPDATE as at 25 January 2024: ALL CLEAR

The heatwave warning is no longer in place for Pilbara, Midwest and Goldfields.

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UPDATE as at 24 January 2024: WATCH AND ACT

The heatwave has been downgraded to ADVICE – THREAT IS REDUCED for parts of the Pilbara, Midwest and Goldfields – towns still experiencing high temperatures include Gascoyne Junction, Exmouth, Paraburdoo and Onslow.

It may take some people several days to recover from a period of extreme heat.

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UPDATE as at 22 January 2024: WATCH AND ACT

The heatwave has been upgraded to WATCH AND ACT for parts of the Pilbara, Midwest and Goldfields – including the towns of Kiwirrkurra, Laverton, Leinster, Leonora, Meekatharra, Newman, Paraburdoo, Wiluna and Warburton.

Protect yourself against the impact of severe to extreme heat.

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UPDATE as at 19 January 2024: WATCH AND ACT

The heatwave has been upgraded to WATCH AND ACT for parts of the Pilbara and Midwest – including the towns of Wiluna, Meekatharra, Paraburdoo and people travelling or camping in Mt Augustus

Protect yourself against the impact of extreme heat.

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HEALTH ALERT: Protect yourself against extreme heat

WA Country Health Service is advising people in parts of the Pilbara, Midwest and Goldfields – Laverton, Leinster, Leonora, Meekatharra, Newman, Paraburdoo, Wiluna and Warburton – to prepare for severe to extreme heat.

A heatwave is forecast in these areas from now for at least three days.

Health safety advice:

• Seek a place to keep cool.
• Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains, or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.
• If available, use fans or air-conditioners to keep cool.
• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Fluids include water, diluted juice (mixed with water) and low sugar sports drinks.
• Limit or avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks (including tea, coffee, and energy drinks) as these can increase dehydration.
• Limit time outdoors. If you need to go outside, try to do so in the early morning or late evening. If you do go outside make sure to put on a hat and sunglasses, apply sunscreen and try to stay in the shade.
• When outdoors, wear lightweight, light-coloured, and loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Sleep with just a sheet over you in the coolest part of the house. Remove winter bedding and replace it with lightweight, cotton bedding.
• Wrap medications needing refrigeration in foil or heat repellent containers with an icepack to keep them cool if there is a power outage.

For information on staying safe during a heatwave visit HealthyWA - Heatwaves and Working Safely in Hot Conditions.