SA visitors and locals warned about extreme heat
State Emergency Service volunteers are warning incoming visitors at Adelaide Airport about South Australia’s extreme heat, as locals have also been cautioned to take care during this week’s heatwave.
International visitors are being warned about Adelaide's heatwave conditions.
The volunteers have been providing extreme heat advice to passengers disembarking from international flights.
The mercury reached 36.2C in Adelaide on Tuesday and the Bureau of Meteorology has revised upwards the forecast maximum temperatures for the coming days. The bureau says the city’s top temperatures will be 39C today, 40C tomorrow, 41C on Friday and 42C on Saturday.
A mild change is expected to reduce temperatures to 30C on Sunday.
The State Emergency Service says the conditions pose a risk to public safety and people are urged to take appropriate precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of others, especially elderly relatives, friends and neighbours.
Residents have also been warned to prepare for power outages as demands on the electricity network increase.
Adelaide’s week-long December heatwave will be the first for the city since 2009 and only the second since the 1930s.
SA Health has also released advice about how to deal with the extreme heat.
“If you do need to go into the sun, try and do so for limited periods and wear a long- sleeved, light coloured shirt, a hat, sun glasses and plenty of sunscreen to avoid getting burnt.
“Alcoholic or caffeinated drinks increase dehydration, so people need to balance this with plenty of water.”
Phillips said the very young and the elderly were most at risk in this weather.
“Remember to check up on your elderly or frail relatives and neighbours to make sure they are okay in the heat and are drinking plenty of fluids.“There are a number of symptoms of heat exhaustion that people should look out for including nausea, faintness and dizziness, loss of appetite, weakness, headaches, vomiting, loss of sweating and reduced urine output.
“Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical assistance by attending their local GP or calling triple zero (000).”
– with AAP
