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Heat Smart Western Sydney

 

In Australia, heatwaves cause more deaths than bushfire, flood and storms combined.

 

As summers become hotter, it is important to understand heat risks and be prepared for impacts heatwave may have on yourself and loved ones.

 

Extreme heat can affect anyone, however those most at risk include:

 

  • People 65 years and over
  • Babies and infants (0 - 4 years)
  • People living alone
  • People living with a disability or unable to care for themselves
  • People living with a medical condition (e.g. diabetes, heart disease or mental illness)
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Outdoor workers
  • Pets

 

Heatwaves can also impact infrastructure we depend on for day-to-day activities including:

 

  • Power (blackouts)
  • Transport - train delays
  • Telecommunications - mobile phone coverage and internet
  • Extended power outages can disrupt access to tap water, electronic payment systems, and fuel pumps at petrol stations.

 

 

How could a heatwave affect you?

 

Below are a few questions to help you prepare.

 

  • Who would you be most worried about during a heatwave?
  • What would you do if you were delayed getting home due to transport breakdown?
  • What would you do in a blackout?
  • Where could you go if home gets too hot? How would you get there?
  • What would you do with pets?
  • Do you know how heat affects your health or medications?
  • How would you manage without mobile phone coverage?

 

 

Heat Smart community resources

 

Western Sydney councils and the Western Sydney Local Health District have developed a suite of resources to assist communities be better prepared for heatwaves and extreme heat. This includes hardcopy, online and audiovisual resources. 

 

Pamphlets

 

Heat Smart pamphlets provide simple tips for keeping your home cool and loved ones safe during heatwaves. This includes:

 

  • General advice for people with medical conditions or over 65 years of age
  • Advice for parents of young children and babies
  • Tips for keeping your home cooler in summer.

 

 

HeatSmartOver65       HeatSmartBabiesandChildren      Coolhometips  

Heat Smart: Be safe during extreme heat

Heat Smart: Keep babies and children safe

 Heat Smart: 10 tips for a cooler home  

 

Translated versions of the above resources can be downloaded via the below links:

Heat Smart: Arabic  العربية

Heat Smart: Farsi  فارسی

Heat Smart: Hindi  डिन्दी

Heat Smart: Korean  한국어

Heat Smart: Serbian  Cрпски

Heat Smart: Simplified Chinese  简体中文

Heat Smart: Tamil  தமிழ்

Heat Smart: Turkish Türkçe

Heat Smart: Vietnamese  Tiếng Việt

 

 

 

Videos

 

 These short social media videos provide tips on heatwave planning and preparedness in 10 languages.

 

Heat Smart Tips for the start of summer (still)             Heat Smart Tips for Heatwaves video (still)
Video 1: Heat Smart Tips: Start of summer            Video 2: Heat Smart Tips: For heatwaves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translated versions of these videos are available on WSROC's Youtube channel.

 

 

 

Social media tiles

 

Share key messages on keeping the home and body cool during heatwaves.

 

Socialmediatiles 600

Heat Smart social media tiles (download)

 

 

 

Further information:

Health Direct 24 hour helpline: 1800 022 222

Breast feeding helpline: 1800 686 268 or call 1311450 for in-language advice

Emergency warnings: ABC Radio Sydney 702AM

Help paying energy bills: 13 77 88 or www.energysaver.nsw.gov.au 

Further information on planning for emegencies, visit the Australian Red Cross website www.redcross.org.au/prepare 

 

 

If you have questions about these resources, or would like printed copies, please get in touch with WSROC on 02 9671 4333 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

 

Heat Smart Western SYdney has been funded under the State Government Natural Disaster Resilience Program.