Taylor’s Cruel Summer is an absolute vibe, but when it comes to the heat of summer, she has some advice to have a Cool Summer instead.
🎵 Our song is a slamming screen door, slapping on sunscreen, and seeking some shade
The UV index in our region can get as high as 14 or 15 in the heat of summer – which can be dangerous to your skin. It’s more than a song from the 90’s – slip, slop, slap, seek, and slide.
- Slip on protective clothing
- Slop on SPF30 or higher sunscreen
- Slap on a hat
- Seek shade
- Slide on sunglasses.
🎵 …I did something bad! When applying my sunscreen.
Not all sunscreen application is the same. Make sure that your sunscreen is applied to clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before going outside.
On an average-sized adult, 35ml should be applied per limb (that’s about a teaspoon) and reapplied every two hours and more regularly if you’re swimming or sweating.
Your sunscreen should be stored somewhere cool and check the expiry date.
🎵 All you had to do was stay (as cool as possible)
At the peak of the heat, it’s a good idea to wrap a damp washcloth around your neck, or a quick, cool bath or shower can help.
Make sure to check on the people around you, especially older neighbours, friends, and family. Give them a call or pop in to check on them. There are some people who experience more heat-related symptoms than others including the elderly, babies and very young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people living with a disability, people living with alcohol or other drug problems, and people who have active jobs like tradies, landscapers, and road workers.
Our furry friends (we’re looking at you Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey) also feel the heat, so check on your pets and animals. Refill their water regularly and make sure they have shaded areas.
🎵 We can’t make any promises, now can we babe, but you can make me a drink
One, two, three…litres of water every day! Make sure you drink it, even if you don’t feel thirsty. You can see if you need to drink more water by the colour of your wee. Your wee should be the colour of pale straw and if it’s any darker than that, you need to drink more water.
During hot days it’s a good to stick to water. Limit your intake of alcohol, soft drinks, sports drinks, tea or coffee as these drinks can cause dehydration.
More information:
- Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice
- Contact your doctor, hospital or health clinic
- In an emergency call 000.