HEALTH ALERT: Protect yourself against extreme heat

29/01/2025

UPDATE as at 3 February 2025, 16:36pm:

Extreme to severe heatwave conditions across areas of central and inland WA will persist until the weekend. 

A WATCH AND ACT - PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THE IMPACTS OF EXTREME HEAT is active for inland Pilbara, Midwest and Gascoyne region.

 

Heatwave ADVICE - MONITOR CONDITIONS - is active in parts of the Midwest and Wheatbelt, as well as Northern and central Goldfields.

 

 

UPDATE as at 1 February 2025, 14:30pm:

The heatwave alert level has been upgraded to a WATCH AND ACT – PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THE IMPACTS OF EXTREME HEAT for the northern Goldfields. 

A WATCH AND ACT alert remains for the Inland Pilbara, Midwest and Gascoyne regions.

Heatwave ADVICE – MONITOR CONDITIONS remains for the Wheatbelt and Goldfields.

 

 

UPDATE as at 30 January 2025, 14:34pm:

The heatwave has been upgraded to WATCH AND ACT for Inland Pilbara, Midwest and Gascoyne region.

Protect yourself against the impact of severe to extreme heat.

An ADVICE – MONITOR CONDITIONS remains for the Wheatbelt and Goldfields region. 

 

 

Current as at: 16:22pm, Wednesday 29 January 2025: Advice - MONITOR CONDITIONS 

WA Country Health Service is advising people in the southern and inland Pilbara, Midwest and Gascoyne, eastern Wheatbelt, and Goldfields to prepare for extreme heat.

A heatwave is likely to affect these areas.

People travelling on inland roads need to be prepared for extreme heat.

We advise people should delay travel in the hottest part of the day.

Health safety advice:

  • Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre.
  • 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.
  • Stock up on bottled water if possible.
  • Get a battery powered radio with working batteries.
  • Charge mobile devices in the event there is a power outage.
  • Tell elderly neighbours and other vulnerable people about the hot weather coming and assist with their preparations if possible.
  • Make sure you have shelter ready and water for pets and other animals.
  • 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.
Last Updated: 03/02/2025