It’s going to be a warm one – but a bit of preparation can go a long way towards making it more bearable. Photo: File.
A heatwave warning is in place for NSW and parts of the Illawarra are set to swelter through 40-degree temperatures on Saturday – after a few days in the mid-30s as a warm-up.
Australia is renowned for its sunny summers, but the flip side of all that heat is sleepless nights, miserable kids and, in severe cases, heat-related illness and even death.
Heat is a silent killer – it doesn’t come with the visible drama of other natural disasters, but it’s far more deadly.
The Australian Council of Social Service said heatwaves killed more Australians than any other natural disaster, including bushfires, cyclones and floods, each year.
Luckily, with a bit of preparation and planning, you can keep yourself and your family cool when the mercury rises.
To keep your home as comfortable as possible through warm summer nights you need to stop the heat from getting in in the first place, said University of Wollongong energy expert Ty Christopher.
“Keep the house and blinds shut so the cool night air stays in your home longer, and start the aircon when the morning heat begins to build,” he said.
“It’s going to be cheaper than letting the house get to 40 degrees, and then trying to bring it down.
“We all remember to block up the draughts in winter, but it’s important in summer too. Keep the house as tightly sealed as possible.”
Especially if you don’t have an air-conditioner, prevent indoor temperatures from rising by replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lights, and fire up the barbecue rather than the oven.
A large bowl of ice in front of a mechanical fan can work wonders, especially in the kids’ bedrooms at night.
If you have reversible ceiling fans, make sure they’re blowing air down, not sucking it up.
If all else fails?
“Whack a cold, wet flannel on your neck,” Ty said.
“It’s an oldie – but a goodie.”
If your house is a sweatbox, and especially if you have family members who are vulnerable to the heat, get out of there and bask in the air-conditioned glory of one of our public spaces.
You don’t have to spend a cent if you dust off your library card.
Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama all boast beautiful libraries where you can do more than just read a book and enjoy being out of the heat.
Wollongong City Libraries acting coordinator of service quality and development Lindsay Carapella said they welcomed visitors looking for a cool spot to hang out.
“Gone are the days of the shushing librarian,” Lindsay said.
“We’re making sure our spaces are comfortable, and we encourage the community to visit and take some refuge from some of the crazy weather that we have, or to come and read a newspaper or to join a club.”
If your kids are a bit too cool to come to the library with mum and dad, youth and community centres might be more their style.
Blackbutt Youth Centre, Albion Park Youth Centre, Sentral Kiama, Wollongong Youth Centre, Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre and Warrawong Community Centre all host activities for teens – check your local council website for details.
If you can avoid the temptation to indulge in a bit of retail therapy, shopping centres can also offer some respite from the heat.
Wollongong Central, Figtree Grove, Dapto Mall and Stockland Shellharbour all boast free playgrounds and aircon.
A quick dip can be just the thing to help cool down, as long as you avoid hitting the beach at the hottest times of day.
If you’re concerned about the large swells forecast for the weekend, there are plenty of free options for a calm, refreshing swim.
Rock pools are a great spot for a refreshing dip when it’s too choppy for an ocean swim, or if you have little ones. Check out our guide to the Illawarra’s rock pools for some inspiration.
If rock pools aren’t your style, the pools at Jamberoo, Berkeley, Helensburgh, Unanderra, Thirroul, Port Kembla and the Wollongong Continental pool all offer free entry.
For the more adventurous, there are plenty of local bushwalks that will take you to a bracing swimming hole.
Cascades, at the base of Macquarie Pass and at the edge of the national park, is a delightful family-friendly walk to a cascading waterfall.
Kellys Falls can be found in Stanwell Tops, just a short drive from Wollongong, with a walk down to the falls beginning at the carpark.
Take care out there, drink plenty of water and remember to slip, slop, slap.
