High temperatures forecast for Tuesday have the city’s emergency crews on alert, with Wagga Rural Referral Hospital’s emergency department anticipating a spike in cases of heat-related illness.
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The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting the city will swelter in 43-degree heat, which could also break a near 63-year record for the hottest December day, which was set in 1953.
Emergency clinical nurse consultant for the Murrumbidgee Health District, Anne Hawkins, said keeping an eye on the sick and vulnerable is imperative in the heat.
“The first thing is never, ever leave children or pets or even the elderly in cars,” Ms Hawkins said.
“The temperature could go up in a locked car well above 50 degrees, so it’s very, very dangerous.
“Most certainly you should stay out of the sun, particularly between 8.30am and 5pm. Wear loose cotton clothing and drink plenty of water; avoid sugary drinks and alcohol as they just dehydrate you.”
Exercise is not recommended in the heat, and those who don’t have air-conditioning are urged to seek out cooler places, such as shopping centres, the local cinema or library where industrial-sized cooling can provide protection from the sweltering heat.
The elderly, pregnant women and children suffer the most through the heat, as do pets, who could die without adequate shelter and cool water that is away from sunlight.
Tradespeople and those walking dogs are especially reminded that the ground can burn paws, and that utes can be a death trap.
“If water’s out in the sun it will be too hot for them to drink so make sure the water is well into shade,” Ms Hawkins said.
For those who will be seeking emergency help, the hospital is warning there will probably be delays.
“The staff will triage the patients accordingly, and the patients may have to wait in the waiting room, but the staff will do their best according to priority of need,” Ms Hawkins said.
The region’s ambulance service is also preparing for an onslaught as temperatures soar on Tuesday.
Wagga Ambulance acting station manager, Luke Sturt, said hot weather can have severe consequences, especially for tradespeople and others who work outside in the heat.
“We will see dehydration. The worst-case scenario of that will be heat stroke,” Mr Sturt said.
“We’d just like to remind people to minimise their exposure during the day and keep up with their fluids, especially water and also use sun protection; basically use your common sense.”
Mr Sturt said parents and carers of young children have to especially vigilant.
“Young children can’t really tell you when they are thirsty or hot, especially if they have a viral infection or illness as it compounds the effects of these illnesses and they can be suffering,” Mr Sturt said.
“With the elderly, we see a lot of dehydration due to lack of fluid intake through the day, and they don't like to use air-conditioning because of the cost, so we’re just trying to remind people to try and stay cool. If you need the air-conditioning, please use it.”
Water safety is also an area of concern for the ambulance as people will be heading to pools, the Murrumbidgee River and even Lake Albert to cool off.
“At this time of the year it’s very dangerous to be swimming in the water, especially with the recent rains we’ve had as it’s resulting in fast-moving currents into the river system,” Mr Sturt said.
“We’d like to remind people to take care in the water when swimming. Please don’t drink alcohol and then swim, and please be mindful of little kids and supervise their actions around water at all times.”