Important heat related advice

General Heat Advice

The public are advised to exercise care during the hot weather and to take the following precautions:

  • Drink plenty of fluids but avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks.
  • Make regular contact with elderly relatives, friends and neighbours, especially if they live alone to ensure they are keeping cool and drinking plenty of fluids.
  • Keep homes cool by closing blinds and curtains during the day and making good use of fans or air conditioners (which are on the cool setting).
  • Stay indoors and open up homes at night if it cools down.
  • Limit outdoor activities to mornings and evenings.
  • When outdoors wear light loose fitting clothing, as well as a broad brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
  • Ensure babies and young children stay out of the sun and give babies extra fluids, dress them lightly and keep them where it's cool.
  • If you have an ongoing mental health condition you should continue to take your medication, stay in touch with family or friends and seek medical help if you start to feel unwell.
  • Never leave children or pets unattended in the car.
  • Make use of air conditioned public facilities such as shopping centres, cinemas and libraries.
  • Be aware of the symptoms of heat stress and if they develop take cool baths or showers and use cool packs or wet towels to cool down.
  • Remember that cordless landline telephones do not work during power outages. Make sure you have alternative means of communication.
  • Consider the safety of your pets and animals. Wet them down and ensure they have adequate shade and water.

Medical Advice

Symptoms of heat stress include headaches, lethargy, nausea and vomiting. More severe symptoms can include weakness, confusion, and in extreme cases, collapse, loss of urine output and stopping of sweating.

If you are feeling unwell, contact your local GP or phone Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.

For immediate medical attention phone 000 and request an ambulance.

A fact sheet titled 'Preventing heat-related illness' is available for download from the SA Health website.

Weather

For information on the weather forecast please visit the Bureau of Meteorology's website at www.bom.gov.au

Transport and Energy

Extreme heat conditions can affect bus, train and tram services.

People using public transport are encouraged to check the Adelaide Metro web-site or phone the InfoLine on
08 8210 1000 for up-to-date information.

ETSA Power Outages

Current power disruptions are listed on the ETSA website. 

Further information can also be obtained by phoning the following numbers:
Customer Service - 13 12 61 (9am - 5pm Monday to Friday)
Faults & Emergencies including electricity emergencies and power interruptions - 13 13 66 (24 hours)

Mass gatherings (E.g. community events)

Organisers of mass gatherings are strongly encouraged to cancel events when public safety, due to extreme heat, is of concern.

When cancellation of an event does not occur, the SES advises event organisers to ensure they are aware of any extreme heat watch or warning in place. They must also ensure appropriate heat management risk assessments and duty of care assessments are conducted as part of the event planning.

This incorporates, but is not limited to: 

  • provision of appropriate quantity of water stations for replenishment of drinking water
  • suitable provision of shade
  • misting tents where appropriate
  • increased first aid facilities
  • sunscreen stations
  • heat related warnings on promotional advertising.

SES Heatwave Information Guide

The SES has developed a Heatwave Information Guide which includes lots of helpful tips on how to reduce the impact of extreme heat and information about how to respond to heat stress so the community is prepared for heatwaves.

Copies of the Heatwave Information Guide can be downloaded from this website.

The Heatwave Information Guide is also available from SES State and Regional Headquarters as well as Service SA Customer Service Centres state-wide.

A full list of Service SA Customer Service Centres can be found at www.sa.gov.au or phone Service SA 13 23 24.

Red Cross Telecross

What is Telecross?

The Australian Red Cross Telecross service is a daily reassurance phone call available to who people live alone, are carers, have a disability, are housebound, frail, aged, socially isolated, or recovering from an illness or accident.

How does Telecross work?

Australian Red Cross Telecross volunteers make daily phone calls from locations within local communities such as hospitals and local councils. Telecross calls check on people's well-being and offer reassurance and friendship.

If a person does not answer their Telecross call, an emergency procedure is activated to ensure that a personal visit is made to check on their well-being.

Is there a cost?

There is a small contribution for Telecross of $40 per year. However this fee is not compulsory to receive the service and will be determined on an individual basis.

How to register?

If you would like to join Telecross for yourself or family member, you will need to register for the service.

Registrations can be made over the phone by yourself, a carer, social worker, doctor, family member or friend.
Once a person is registered for the service, they can begin Telecross the very next day.

To register and for further information phone the Telecross Client Services team on 08 8100 4697 or for country callers please phone 1800 246 850 (free call).

You can also phone the Client Services number if you wish to become a Telecross volunteer.

For further information visit the Red Cross website

Heat information for people who are homeless

  • Various agencies across the inner Adelaide CBD extend their services during extreme hot weather.
  • Day centres across Adelaide provide bottled water, basic amenities and storage facilities.
  • Most agencies can also provide access to sunscreen and hats as required.
  • The Adelaide Bus Depot on Franklin Street is open 24-hours a day for people to have access to a free indoor air conditioned environment.

Other important factors to consider:

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day
  • Stay in the shade or indoors as much as possible
  • Avoid drinking too much alcohol
  • Wear lightweight clothing
  • Use sunscreen and a hat during the day
  • Seek medical assistance if required.
Some useful phone numbers:

Street to Home 08 8113 3888 - An outreach service to people rough sleeping
Crisis Care 131 611 - After hours crisis response service
Housing SA 13 12 99 - For assistance with emergency accommodation.

Further information regarding emergency accommodation is also available at the Department for Families and Communities website. 

Further Information 

SES Heatwave Information page

Extreme Heat Plan