Preparing for a heatwave

Learn how to prepare for extreme heat and heatwaves, and leaving early on risky fire danger days.

Extreme heat or heatwaves

Extreme heat or heatwaves pose a significant health risk. They result in more deaths than all other natural disasters combined in Australia, including bushfires.

Some people are more vulnerable to heatwaves. This may include people with medical conditions, children, older people, pregnant women and people living in inadequate housing or experiencing homelessness.

Beyond health impacts, extreme heat affects infrastructure, services, the environment, pets and wildlife.

Climate change intensifies heatwaves, straining emergency and healthcare services. 

Take heat seriously

Heat-related illness can range from mild conditions such as a rash or cramps to very serious conditions such as heat stroke, which can cause death. For more information on heat-related illness, visit Extreme heat - Better Health Channel.

In an emergency call 000.

Before a heatwave

  • Stay informed and keep safe by downloading the Vic Emergency App.
  • Consider how you will keep your house cool. Open the windows overnight and then shut the house up early. Consider external blinds on the sides of the house facing the sun. Close the blinds and curtains.
  • Ensure your fan or air-conditioner is in good working order.
  • Connect with your community. Often it’s those that live close to you who can help if needed (or you may be able to them). Council can help you make connections in your community. You can also check our Community directory.  
  • Think of friends, family or neighbours who might be vulnerable and consider the extra support they might need.
  • Reschedule or reconsider any plans that will involve a lot of sun exposure.
  • Make a list of cooler places to visit during a heatwave.
  • Be prepared in the event of a heat-related power outage. Visit Power Outage – Emergency Prepare for tips on how to prevent and prepare for a power outage.
  • Have a radio or mobile phone available for updates. Find your local radio frequency. Melbourne and the Yarra Ranges ABC Radio - 774 AM

During a heatwave 

  • Keep cool: Seek shelter from the heat in your home or in the shade. Cool your body down by wetting your skin with spray bottles, cold water immersion, wet clothing, misting fans or foot immersions in cold water. Circulate the air around you by using fans and air conditioning, if possible. If it’s just too hot at your place, consider visiting an air-conditioned place.
  • Stay hydrated: Drink more water during hot weather (200mL every 15 to 20 minutes), regardless of how active you are. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. Drink plenty of water or other cool, non-alcoholic fluids. Avoid alcohol or drinks that contain lots of sugar.
  • Protect yourself outside:  If you must be outdoors, protect yourself from the sun.  Cover exposed skin with lightweight clothes, natural fibres if possible, such as cotton or linen, use sunscreen, and wear a hat and sunglasses.
  • Move in the cooler parts of the day: Whether it’s work or play, too much physical activity on a hot day can lead to heat stress. If you can, restrict activity or travel to cooler parts of the day.
  • Never leave people or pets in cars: Even on cool days or if the windows are left open a fraction, it’s not safe. Cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. People and pets left unattended in parked cars for even a few minutes are at risk of serious heat-related illnesses and possibly death.
  • Watch out for others:  Check on people who may need help coping with the heat.
  • Watch out for your pets:  Provide shade outdoors and lots of fresh, cool drinking water for your pets.  Consider freezing a mix of diluted stock and treats to make a cooling ice block. Bring your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day.
  • Leave water for animals: Fill up your bird baths with water or leave water outside for wildlife.
  • Relocate: Refer to our Places to keep cool page. It should give you ideas on how to keep yourself, your family and your pets more comfortable and safe in extreme heat, heatwaves or risky bushfire days.

Leaving early on risky fire danger days

Extreme heat or heatwaves usually go hand in hand with increased bushfire risk. It's important to always consider both depending on where you live, work and play.

The CFA has firm direction to stay safe, and that is to leave early either on the morning of, or the night before, a risky fire danger day.

Please visit the CFA website to help you better prepare or visit Preparing for the fire season for more general information.

Be heat smart

The Montrose Township Group created a short video about how to prepare for a heatwave and how to look out for yourselves and others before and during one.

Related Information

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