Seasonal health and safety: Summer

Too much hot weather can have a negative affect your health, but there are positive steps both young and older people can take during the heat.

People with chronic health condition (e.g. renal, cardiovascular and mental health), should pay special attention to their health during heatwaves.

Getting enough sleep is important all year round, but not always easy to do in hot weather, here are some tips.

For translated fact sheets on hot weather visit the SA Health Website and scroll down the page.

Heat related illness occurs when the body’s heat-regulating mechanisms don't work effectively. It can vary from dehydration, to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but they are all potentially avoidable. It’s important to try and keep cool during hot days.

One indicator of how hydrated you are can be the colour of your wee.

Everyone is encouraged to be active for at least 30min each day. Exercise supports a healthy body from head to toe. Exercise has been demonstrated to support good brain health, assist in positive mental health and can help reduce stress.

Adapting your routines slightly in hot weather can help reduce your risk of heat related illness due to exercise.

Most skin cancers can be prevented by using good sun protection. It’s never too late to improve your sun protection habits.

Invented in the 1960’s this message never gets old and had grown over the years: Slip on clothing, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, slide on sunglasses, seek shade.

The Royal lifesaving national report on drowning 2019, showed 81% of people who drowned were male. Whilst backyard pools and spas remain a risk for younger children, 26% of total drownings were at the beach and 29% the river.

Beachsafe app provides detailed information from patrol status, facilities and hazards to weather, swell and tide.

To help prevent bites and stings, it’s a good idea to wear protective clothing such as closed shoes, socks, long pants and a long sleeved shirt. Many bites and stings can be dealt with over the counter medicines and not life threatening.

Refresh your knowledge of first aid for serious bites and stings.

Decks can become rotten or slippery over winter, clean and recoat each year to keep the wood safe underfoot. Driveways can erode due to winter weather, fill in pot holes to avoid slips and trips in summer footwear.

If you are working outdoors or going for a walk, wear supportive footwear to reduce falls risk.

Drowning is a leading cause of death in young children. If you have a pool or spa area make sure it is compliant every year. Getting the chemicals checked and correct before swimmers enter is a must.

Resuscitation skills are crucial because they can save lives. Display signs by the pool or spa area and attend training in CPR.

Being bushfire ready is something all Australian households should do and refresh your plans each year.

Join information sites before an emergency so you get regular updates and know where to get the right information.

If you’ve had your rollers up to allow the winter sun in, make sure you draw back down for summer. Direct sun through a window can produce as much heat as a small, one bar heater.

How best to shade your house- through physical barriers or vegetation, is dependant upon the orientation of your home. Using shade can make your home more energy efficient and save money.

Many moulds are not dangerous to humans, but some can trigger allergic reactions or affect and even cause respiratory conditions. Moulds thrive in moist environments with reduced airflow- like cold damps rooms in winter.

Mould can grow in rooms, on clothes or even in cupboards, but there are ways to reduce it in each area.

Anytime is a good time to clear out your fridge and pantry, clean the inside and throw away out of date products, you might be surprised by the fridge life of some fresh items.

Food poisoning is more common in summer months. Washing hands regularly and being careful with preparation of raw and cooked foods are just some ways to reduce your risk.