The heat is on for another 5 days………..and throughout South Australia, residents have to brave temperatures of plus 40°C to go about their daily chores for the rest of the week.
Total fire bans have been issued across South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania ahead of the extreme heat, and expected strong winds to follow.
And yes – some parts of Africa do get just as hot, but, except in the desert regions, the heat of Africa does not compare to the heat of a full blown South Australian summer.
In summer the African Australian population in SA, especially the new arrivals, can suffer because of this relentless heat. It is a torment for many families who may not be able to afford the cost of electricity to keep air conditioning running throughout the period of the heatwaves.
Adapting to heat of this magnitude is a confronting challenge. Salt Magazine has undertaken some research on heat management and we’d like to share some tips.
Stay healthy in the heat
- Drink plenty of water – avoid caffeine and alcohol
- spend time in cool places
- keep out of the sun. If you have to go outside, go in the early morning or late evening and stay in the shade
- wear light coloured, loose clothing and take a hat to wear outside
- always use plenty of sunscreen
- don’t do a lot of exercise outside when it is very hot
- to help you sleep use a water spray mister on your face and body
- try to stay inside with a fan or air conditioner on
For more tips on how to stay cool, head to the SA Health Website
