Ambos Prepare for the Heat

LOCAL ambulance are encouraging people to stay well during the hot weather by drinking plenty of water and staying cool.

During periods of extreme heat the ambulance have more call outs and want to get the message out to make sure people stay hydrated, stay cool and call them immediately if they are unwell.

Mark Bell, manager of Scone Ambulance said heat can exacerbate many underlying health issues and in some cases lead to heart attack.

“Heat exposure should be taken seriously by people of all ages,” said Mr Bell.

“When you are dehydrated it can also change the effectiveness of medications and make them more potent,” he said.

“You may feel dizzy, tired, have loss of appetite, irritable, thirsty, have cramps in your legs and your urine may be darker.

“It’s important to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day at least and for every 10 drinks of water have a sports drink.

“If you need to go shopping or go outside, do it in the morning, not in the heat of the day.

“We also encourage the older generation who might be used to wearing stockings and petticoats to dress in cooler clothing, as you age your body doesn’t compensate for the heat as well and it puts more strain on your kidneys,” he said.

“The main message is to call us if you are unwell and don’t wait for things to get worse, the best outcome for everyone is we get called out and it is something minor,” Mark Bell said.

Animals also need to stay cool and hydrated, make sure the have access to plenty of water and shade.