Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Tuesday, 6 January, 2015. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Be alert and aware

The Victorian Department of Health and Country Fire Authority will issue information and alerts as required and residents are urged to take note of the information relevant to the Northern Country District, which consists of Greater Shepparton City Council, Campaspe Shire, City of Greater Bendigo, Loddon Shire, Moira Shire and Strathbogie Shire.

Greater Shepparton’s Director Community Kaye Thomson encouraged people to also keep an eye on their friends, family members and neighbours during the heat.

“It is important that our residents kept an eye on our vulnerable population, including those people aged over 65, particularly those living without air conditioning, children under five, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with existing medical conditions.

“Vulnerable people also refers to those with limited mobility, overweight or obese people or people taking medication which may interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature,” Ms Thomson said.

“Many vulnerable people do not have friends or relatives’ living nearby, so if you have an elderly neighbour or live near someone you know is unwell, make sure to keep an eye on them during hot weather.

“We also encourage people or businesses where staff are required to work outdoors in the heat to look to alternative work activities to ensure good health of their staff. This could include starting and finishing work earlier, or working indoors if possible.

“Council has a small register of vulnerable people, however we know there are people in our community who are not on our register and may need assistance during a heatwave/in hot weather.

“People also need to make sure they look after their pets, ensuring they have enough water and shade to escape the heat.”

There are six key things for people do during warmer weather/in a heatwave:

Keep out of the heat - look for shade and wear a hat
Drink enough water
Naturally cool your home, close windows and blinds in the day
Talk to your health service if you have health issues
Check on people who may struggle in the heat
Help people who are feeling unwell.

Residents will find fact sheets on heatwaves and heat related illness and a basic heatwave information poster that contains a number of languages other than English on Council’s website http://greatershepparton.com.au/heatwave