HEALTH ALERT: Protect yourself against extreme heat

Current as at: 09:02am, Monday 12 January 2026. Heatwave ADVICE – PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THE IMPACTS OF EXTREME HEAT

WA Country Health Service is advising people in the Kimberley – including: Lake Argyle; northern Dampier Peninsula; area bounded by Kundat Djaru (Ringer Soak), Kunawarritji, Telfer, Gingerah and Kurlku to prepare for extreme heat.

An extreme heatwave is impacting this area.Severe conditions are impacting additional widespread areas in the Kimberley and Pilbara.

This is expected to last for three days until Wednesday 14 January 2026.

Health safety advice:

• 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.
• Apply sunscreen regularly.
• Tell elderly neighbours and other vulnerable people about the hot weather coming.
• 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.
• 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.
• Charge mobile devices in the event there is a power outage.
• Get a battery powered radio with working batteries.
• Make sure you have shelter ready and water for pets and other animals.
• Never leave a person or a pet in a closed car.