Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Friday, 10 January, 2014. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate.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.

Look out for each other in the heat

The temperature is forecast to rise above 40 degrees for a majority of next week.

A heatwave is defined as three or more days in a row where the temperature exceeds the mean temperature of 30 degrees, as detailed in the Victorian heatwave Strategy.

Greater Shepparton's Director Community Kaye Thomson said it was 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."

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

1. Keep out of the heat - look for shade and wear a hat
2. Drink enough water
3. Naturally cool your home, close windows and blinds in the day
4. Talk to your health service if you have health issues
5. Check on people who may struggle in the heat
6. 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/residents/emergency/heatwave/

- Released 10 January 2014