Climate change has been having an increasing effect on our lives with each passing year. Throughout the globe, severe winters have been followed by some serious heat waves during the summer months, particularly here in Australia and our beloved Brisbane.
We Brisbanites love a hot sunny day, but with temps reaching the mid-forties and with heat waves becoming more of a regular fixture in our year, we need to know more about them, and be better prepared on how to deal with them!
What Is a Heat Wave
A heat wave is when the temperature exceeds the average and expected number for that time of year for an extended period of time. One super hot day doesn’t count for a heatwave, some say it has to be more than 3 days, and others say it has to be a week.
Are there different types of heat waves?
Yes, thankfully there’s a tiered system and the lower we are on the scale the better;
The one most of us have experienced and will continue to do with the way things are going is the low-intensity heat wave. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still really hot but if we do the right things we’ll be just fine, it’s simply going to be quite uncomfortable.
A severe heatwave is when we start getting into dangerous territory. If you get caught in one of these be aware. Plan your days and routes according to the temperature, make sure you’re drinking a lot of liquids, grab the fans from the garage, have multiple cold showers or baths a day and keep an eye on your loved ones!
It doesn’t take much to get a heat stroke in this type of weather and severe heat waves can be very challenging for children and potentially fatal for the elderly so be vigilant!
Finally, an extreme heatwave is the worst of the lot. One of these becomes a problem for everyone, roads can melt, machines overheat, power can be lost, but most worryingly those who suffer from medical conditions, or elderly folk in fragile states can find themselves in big trouble if proper care is not taken.
How to Stay Safe During a Heat Wave
Whether you’re someone who can be particularly vulnerable during a heatwave or not, there are certain things you can do to make life easier and more comfortable for yourself. Of course, we are biased and air conditioning and ceiling fans are at the top of our list, but there’s more…
Liquids
With temperatures reaching that high, it won’t require much movement before your pores open and you start to sweat, so replacing that fluid is very important to your overall health and mood.
Drink plenty of water but don’t just limit yourself to water. Try and get your hands on drinks that have high electrolyte content in them or buy some sachets from your local pharmacy so you can replace the salt content as well as hydrate yourself.
There are certain liquids that you should avoid, however, during a heatwave. This may be difficult for a lot of people but coffee is a diuretic, meaning you’re going to have to use the toilet more often leaving you even more dehydrated.
We associate hot days with cold beer, it’s the Aussie way, but alcohol is also a diuretic that makes you sweat and go to the toilet to add to the lightheaded intoxicating feeling which multiplies when exposed to the sun. Be very careful if choosing to drink during a heatwave and don’t overindulge!
Clothes
This seems obvious but the clothes you wear, and the material of your clothes make a massive difference to your body temperature. When the red of the thermometer rises you need to plan your outfits carefully.
Put away your leather, denim and corduroy (no matter how good they look) and wear more breathable material like linen, nylon and silk.
Don’t forget to add to your look with accessories that can make a huge difference to your body temperature. The fastest way to heat stroke is by sun exposure directly to your head, so a hat and sunglasses go a long way in making a heat wave more bearable.
Sun Screen
One of the most important and underrated tools of any summer season, sunscreen protects both in the short term and in the long term.
We have all refused sunscreen and then regretted it for days after as our skin literally peeled off, so it won’t take much time at all during a heatwave for your skin to suffer. Make sure to get the strongest SPF you can find and if you have any conditions ask your local pharmacist for advice.
We all love the sun, but let’s not forget that skin cancer is one of the most common cancers Australians suffer from.
Cool Your House Down!
When that heat wave hits your house can feel like a sauna so here are some things you can do to try and keep it cool.
Keep your curtains drawn. When sunlight comes through the glass the heat of the sunlight increases, so keep the blinds shut! Also, if you can get your hands on some reflectors, put them up! If you can’t get any of those then wrap some cardboard with aluminum foil and get them on your windows, you’ll see the difference it makes.
Open all the doors and windows and allow the air to cross-ventilate your house.
You know when the winter season begins and you see a bunch of standing or desk fans that are heavily discounted at your local hardware store…buy them! Plan ahead and get them cheap, so when the heatwave hits you have a fan on blast for every room, keeping the average temperature nice and low.
FAQ’s
Can My Electronic Devices Get Damaged During a Heat Wave
Have you ever noticed when you use your phone or laptop too much how hot it gets when you touch it?
Even though all devices have fans and cooling systems, the temperature of your device when using it is approximately 10 to 20 degrees higher than the temperature of the room it’s in! So imagine how hot it will be during a heat wave!
It might be tempting, but if you want to care for your expensive devices properly, then don’t use your device as much when it gets really hot, use it in short bursts, keep it out of the sun, and leave it somewhere cool.
Can Heat Waves Cause Power Outages?
There is nothing suggesting that heat waves directly cause power cuts, however, the hotter it gets, the more energy-consuming appliances we tend to use. Fans switch on, fridge and freezer temperatures are reduced, and most of all air conditioning units are kept on for hours.
It’s understandable, it’s the very reason why you spent all that money to buy air conditioners, however, they use a lot of power, and all that excess consumption can lead to power outages and even the burning of your electrical circuit, so be wary and keep an eye on it!