Today and throughout the rest of the week, temperatures in Australia are expected to soar. So much so that the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a series of heatwave warnings for most of Queensland and NSW.
In Sydney, we’ll be battling a peak of 36 degrees on Wednesday while Brisbane will follow closely behind with temperatures in the low to mid 30s. But the struggle is real for residents of Melbourne and Adelaide, who will be expected to attempt to function in a climate of 38.
Those hoping for a cool breeze to sing them to sleep will be disappointed to hear that unbearably warm nights are also ahead, and it’s at this point we wish those without air conditioning ‘good luck’.
Temperatures like these, although ripe with the prospect of pool parties and BBQs, should be met with caution.
Below are three things you should absolutely NEVER do on a hot day… or ever, really.
1. Lock your kids in the car
It sounds eye-rollingly obvious, but for whatever reason parents locking kids in their vehicle to run errands – whether intentional or accidental – is still happening.
It can take just 15 minutes in an overheated car for a child to suffer life-threatening kidney or brain injuries. When the body reaches 40 degrees, organs can shut down and at 41.6 degrees a person can die.
When the outside temperature is 26-37 degrees, a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly climb to 54-77 degrees, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. Neglect sunscreen
It should be part of your daily routine to slap some SPF on your face, but throughout the summer sun protection must go further than this.
While our current climate may scream beach day, experts actually recommended avoiding prolonged exposure to such harsh environments as just 15 minutes in the summer sun can result in burn.
Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, which is why a combination of protectants should always be applied. These include clothing, a sun hat, shade and sunglasses.
PRO TIP: Avoid storing your sunscreen in a hot car. Extreme heat can change the composition of the protectant formula, which experts fear may affect the efficiency of the SPF. Instead, keep your sunscreen in a cool, dry spot, and check the back for storing and expiration details.
3. Forget about your pets
For all the reasons listed above, pets, like children, should most definitely not be locked inside a car at any point during the year.
On a hot summer’s day, your pet should have access to plenty of clean drinking water – a few ice cubes or one large one in their bowl should help it maintain a cool temperature.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer found in pets, so make sure they have access to plenty of shaded spots and avoid walking your furry friend during the hottest part of the day.
PRO TIP: If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet. Consider this when making decisions about the wellbeing of your best friend.
