Heat is a silent killer.

Heatwaves are a natural hazard and kill more Australians than all other natural disasters combined.

Children are particularly vulnerable to heat illness. When it’s hot, children may become irritable, tired and lose their appetite. Adults and teenagers can also experience changes in mood during hot weather.

Research has shown family and domestic conflict increase during heatwaves.

If you or your child are in danger, or if you have been threatened, physically hurt or sexually assaulted, call triple zero (000). For 24/7 support, information and counselling call:

• NSW Domestic Violence line on 1800 65 64 63
• Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
• Child Protection Helpline on 13 21 11
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support on 13 Yarn (13 92 76)

Hacks to stay healthy, happy and safe this summer

In the home:

Tip: Focus on one part of the house. You can use less energy and keep your kids from losing their cool.

• Turn on an electric fan when using the air conditioner.
• Keep the air conditioner 3-4 degrees higher (24-27°C) and still feel as cool, saving you electricity and money.
• Don’t have an air-conditioner? Make an ice water fan. Place a bowl of ice water in front of a fan and keep the room cool by closing other doors.
• This will keep you cool and use less energy. Never point a fan towards your baby or child.
• Place covered ice packs or frozen water bottles on pillows and at the foot of the bed before children go to sleep. Hot air rises, so if bedrooms are upstairs try putting mattress downstairs or on the floor to create a cooler sleeping environment.
• If you come home to a hot house, use exhaust fans in the kitchen and the bathroom to help extract some heat before using the budget friendly hacks to keep cool.

Babies and children:

If you are going for a walk, wet a muslin wrap and partly drape it over the pram, making sure air can flow through. The wet wrap and the movement of walking will create a cool environment while protecting your child from the sun.

Never use dry muslin wraps or material to cover a pram or capsule as it can raise the temperature by up to 4°C and can cause suffocation.

Want to know what the heat health risk is in your area? Try the HeatWatch application.