Unless otherwise specified, Young’s Bus Service will continue to operate during heat wave conditions. We have put together this post to help our passengers and the greater community prepare for a heatwave.
Survive the heat and travel with Young’s Bus Service – all our bus services are air-conditioned!
What is a heatwave?
A heatwave is a long period of very hot weather usually ranging in temperatures from 37°C to 42°C. Heat waves effect all types of people from children to the elderly and don’t forget the animals.
According to Queensland Health “During very hot and extreme heat conditions, people are at greater risk of health problems. These can be specific heat-related illnesses or a worsening of existing medical problems.”
Heat-related illness occurs when the body absorbs too much heat, usually over a period of a few days. Heat waves can cause a vast array of medical conditions such as heat rash, cramps, exhaustion & dehydration. For more information visit Queensland Health’s heat related illness page.
Be prepared before a heatwave
- If you have a medical condition, ask your doctor for advice on how to manage the heat.
- Plan ahead to reduce the risk of getting heat exhaustion or a heat-related illness
- Think of simple ways to make your home or building cooler (e.g. install awnings, shade cloth or internal blinds or curtains on the sides of the building that face the sun)
- Have any air conditioners serviced before the beginning of summer.
Drink water regularly
- Drink 2 to 3 litres of water a day at regular intervals, even if you do not feel thirsty. If your fluid intake is limited on medical advice, ask your doctor how much you should drink during hot weather
- Sports drinks do not replace water
- Don’t drink alcohol, soft drinks, tea or coffee—they worsen dehydration
- Eat as you normally would but do try to eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit
- Avoid heavy protein foods (e.g. meat, dairy products) which raise body heat and increase fluid loss.
Keep out of the heat as much as possible
- Plan your day to keep activity to a minimum during the hottest part of the day
- If you can, avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11am–3pm)
- Avoid strenuous activities and gardening
- Do not leave children, adults or animals in parked cars.
If you go out
- Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, porous clothes
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen
- Regularly rest in the shade
- Drink plenty of water
Look after your animals
Animals can also be affected by heat-related illness. If you’re in charge of an animal, you have a duty of care to provide it with food, water, and appropriate shelter.
- Put ice in your pet’s water.
- Give pets a kid’s pool to splash in or drape them in cold towels.
- Use sprinklers, misting hoses and fans to cool pets down.
- Dim the lights or draw the blinds and keep outside animals in the shade.
- Only walk pets in the early morning or late afternoon.
- Make sure you don’t leave pets inside parked vehicles.
Remember, animals can succumb to heat stroke quickly — even in conditions that don’t feel too bad to a human
Monitor the weather
During a heatwave, we recommend you use the following links to keep an eye on the weather.
- Capricornia Forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology
- Queensland UV Index from the Bureau of Meteorology
- Heatwave Service for Australia from the Bureau of Meteorology
For more information on the above visit https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/disaster-types/heatwave
