Surviving a heatwave: how to stay cool this summer

06.12.23 By

The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that another El Niño event is underway, bringing hot and dry conditions to much of Australia.

Climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas, is already leading to hotter, longer and more intense heatwaves in Australia. With El Niño occurring against this backdrop of a fast warming planet, we need to be prepared for some extreme temperatures this summer.

Heatwaves are known as a silent killer – they cause more deaths than any other extreme weather event in Australia combined, including bushfires, floods and cyclones.

As the days get hotter, it’s important to keep cool and know how to look after yourself, your family and your furry friends during a heatwave this holiday period.

Here are our top tips for how you can beat the heat this summer:

At home

Transport/infrastructure

Wildlife

Pets

Always

IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL TRIPLE ZERO (106 FOR PEOPLE WITH A HEARING OR SPEECH IMPAIRMENT)

Download our comprehensive heatwave guide here