Beat the Heat

Keeping cool in the Inner West

As the weather starts to warm up and summer heat sets in it’s very important to be aware of the risks and dangers that hot weather can cause.

Hot weather can cause serious health problems, especially for older people, anyone with pre-existing medical conditions, babies and young children, outdoor workers, socially isolated people, homeless people and pregnant women.

One of the single most important things you can do is to maintain a steady water intake. Don’t replace water with sugar drinks or alcohol and drink water regularly even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and get more important tips and information on the NSW Government Beat the Heat Page.

Preparing for hot weather

Get organised

Check the Bureau of Meteorology for heatwave warnings
Check Heat Watch for daily and weekly 'heat health risk' forecasts, and set up personalised alerts
Look at ways make your home cooler (e.g. install awnings or shade cloths. Service air-conditioning units or fans)
Talk to your doctor about how hot weather may affect you. Store medications at the correct temperature (typically below 25 degrees).
Download the Get Prepared app to help you plan for emergencies
Identify your support network (e.g. family, friends, neighbours or a carer)
Write down your important numbers (doctors, support network)
Ensure your pets have plenty of water and shade when outside
Keep in touch with friends, neighbours and relatives, particularly if they're unwell or isolated.

When hot weather is forecast

If you have air-conditioning , make sure it is set to cool
Check your air conditioner fillers are clean to ensure it is operating well
Stock up on medications, food and drinks for your household and pets, to avoid going out in the hottest part of the day
Fill ice trays in your freezer or put some cool-packs in the refrigerator or freezer
Check in with family and friends who may be more at risk to help them prepare
Consider how changes in weather might impact planned daily activities
Check for roads and transport alerts during extreme weather events and bushfires.

For health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week phone Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Source and further info: NSW Health / Australian Red Cross

Tips during a heatwave

Stay cool

Stay indoors: keep out of the heat if you can
If you need to go outside, wear light clothing and a hat, put on sunscreen and take water with you
Do daily activities like shopping and gardening early in the day or ask someone to help you
Draw blinds early in the day.
Turn your air-conditioner on before the room heats up
If you don't have an air conditioner, try placing ice in a shallow bowl or tray in front of a fan on hot days
Take cool showers and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, or use a damp cloth
Go to an air-conditioned building, such as your local library or shopping centre.

Drink plenty of water

Even when you don't feel thirsty, drink plenty of water.
Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and sugary or fizzy drinks. They make dehydration worse.
Eat small meals more often, rather than large meals. And eat more cold food like salads and fruit.

If you or someone you know shows signs of heat stroke (fits, confusion, staggering), call 000 immediately. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and can cause a person to collapse or fall unconscious.

Source/further info: Australian Red Cross

Sustainable ways to keep cool

With global temperatures on the rise, it is important to address climate change without putting your safety at risk. Strategies that focus on cooling the person instead of the surrounding air can have less impact the environment.

Personal cooling tips during a heatwave include:

Using a small spray bottle to keep skin wet ('self-dousing')
Putting your feet in cold water (using a foot bath or bathtub)
Wearing damp clothing (must be resoaked every 60 minutes)
Wrapping crushed ice in a towel, and placing on neck or chest

Get more tips on how to keep cool in an easy and sustainable way from the Lancet (PDF download).

Beat the heat - translated information

Information in community languages about staying safe during hot weather (NSW Health).

English
Arabic (العربية)
Chinese - Simplified (简体中文)
Chinese - Traditional (繁體中文)
Croatian (Hrvatski)
Filipino (Wikang Tagalog)
Greek (Ελληνικά)
Italian (Italiano)
Macedonian (Mакедонски)
Spanish (Español)
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt Nam)

Heat Smart Tips for Heatwaves
A video with voice-over and captions in community languages with simple tips to stay safe during heatwaves.

Heat Smart: 10 tips for a cooler home
A resource in community languages giving simple tips for preparing your home for summer and keeping it cool on hot days.

Source: Western Sydney Local Health District

View more multi-language resources about heat (Multicultural Health Communication Service)

Where to go to keep cool in the Inner West

Below is a list of places to keep cool in the Inner West during a heatwave. Check back soon for further updates to this page.

Inner West Aquatic Centres

Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre
Enmore Park, Black Street, Marrickville
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 6am - 9pm, Saturday: 6am - 7pm, Sunday: 7am - 7pm
Ashfield Aquatic Centre
Frederick Street and Elizabeth Street, Ashfield
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 6am to 9pm, Friday 6am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday: 6am to 7pm

Dawn Fraser Baths
Elkington Park, Fitzroy Avenue, Balmain
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (including public holidays) from October to April, opening hours vary. More details.

Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre
Station Street, Petersham
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 6.45am to 7pm, Sunday and Public Holidays 8am to 6pm, October to March

Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre
Mary Street, Lilyfield
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 5.30am -9pm, Friday to Sunday: 5.30am - 8pm

Steel Park Water Play Park
Illawarra Road, Marrickville South
Opening hours: 9am and 6pm, from late September to April

Inner West libraries

Ashfield library
Level 3, Ashfield Civic Centre
260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield

Balmain library
370 Darling Street, Balmain

Emanuel Tsardoulias Community (ETC) Library
362-372 New Canterbury Rd, Dulwich Hill

Haberfield Centre and Library
78 Dalhousie Street, Haberfield

Marrickville library
Patyegarang Place
313 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

Leichhardt Library
Piazza Level, Italian Forum,
23 Norton Street, Leichhardt

Stanmore Library
Douglas Street, Stanmore

St Peters/Sydenham Library
39 Unwins Bridge Road, Sydenham

Library opening hours

Ashfield, Balmain, Leichhardt and Marrickville library opening hours:

Monday-Thursday, 9am to 7.30pm
Friday, 9am to 5.30pm
Weekends, 10am to 5pm

ETC, Stanmore, St Peters and Haberfield library opening hours:

Monday-Wednesday, 10am to 5.30pm
Thursday, 12pm to 7.30pm
Friday, 10am to 5.30pm
Saturday, 10am-4pm

Air-conditioned indoor shopping centres in the Inner West

Marrickville Metro
20 Smidmore St, Marrickville

MarketPlace Leichhardt
Unit 100/122-138 Flood St, Leichhardt

Norton Plaza
55 Norton Street, Leichhardt