What to do in hot weather

Heat and humidity can have a serious impact on your health. Learn how to prepare for hot weather along with tips to stay cool and healthy.

Published 22 December 2025

Person filling a reusable water bottle from a water dispenser, with text "What to do in hot weather" at the top.

Whether you love or hate hot weather, you may experience its unpleasant and dangerous effects.

Hot weather needs to be taken seriously. High temperatures, prolonged heat and humidity can cause heat stress, heat stroke and even death for people of all ages.

While heatwaves can affect everyone, some people are particularly vulnerable, such as:

older people
babies and young children
people in poor quality housing
people with health conditions – physical and mental.

How to prepare for hot weather

Check out the free HeatWatch tool to help you understand your risk of heat stress each day based on your location, age and health. It also provides recommendations on how you can keep cool.
Speak to your doctor if you have chronic health conditions or are on regular medications. Discuss how hot or humid weather may affect you and what to do about it. Heat can reduce the effectiveness of medications.
Have a plan. NSW Health provides great guidance. The Red Cross also has numerous step-by-step guides to help you plan for heatwaves as well as other emergencies. They’re available in several languages. If you’d like paper copies, contact your nearest Red Cross office.
Know where you can go to get relief from heat and humidity. You’re welcome to relax at our libraries.
Check your air conditioners, fans, fridges and freezers are working properly.
Consider buying cool packs to keep in the freezer to help you cool down. Filling and sealing a sandwich bag with water and freezing it also works as a homemade cool pack.
Understand the signs of heat stress and heat stroke.

- Close all doors, windows, curtains, blinds and awnings at the start of the day to keep the sun out.
- Stock up on food for you and your pets. If you take regular medication, ensure you have plenty to last the forecast period of hot weather so you can avoid going out during the heat.
- Fill ice trays in your freezer or put some cool packs in the fridge or freezer.
- Check in with friends, family and neighbours who may be more at risk during hot weather – older people and those less mobile – to see if there is anything they need to help them prepare.
- Consider how changes in weather might impact planned activities and exercise routines – avoid going out as much as possible.
- Keep hydrated – drink 2 to 3 litres of water each day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- If you don’t have air conditioning, spritzing yourself with water from a spray bottle and sitting or lying near a fan is an effective way to cool down. Placing your feet in a bucket of water with ice is another effective method.
- If the heat is unbearable in your home, you can relax at one of our libraries. Places like cinemas or shopping centres are also an option.
- If you must go outside, dress in light and natural fabrics, wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Seek shade wherever you can. Sunburn affects your ability to cope with the heat.
- Avoid strenuous activities like exercise.
- Look after your pets by making sure they have plenty of shade and enough cool water to last all day. Putting ice cubes in their water bowl is a good trick.
- Check in with vulnerable friends, family and neighbours throughout the day. Seek help early if needed.
- Never leave people or pets in parked vehicles – not even for a few minutes. It’s so serious it's illegal to do this under NSW law.
The strain of heat exposure, including disrupted sleep, can be felt after extreme heat has passed.

The temperature doesn’t even need to be that high for us to be unwell if humidity is high.
- Stay aware of your health in the days following heatwaves and seek medical help if you don’t feel right.
- Continue to drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. The body takes a while to cool down.
- Check on friends, family and neighbours, especially older people and those with mobility and other health conditions.
- In a life-threatening emergency, call triple zero (000) for emergency services.
- Monitor the weather using the Bureau of Meteorology’s website, app or phone the audio warning services on 1300 659 215.
- For free health advice call Health Direct on 1800 022 222 (free call) – open 24 hours.
- If you’re experiencing emotional or mental health distress call Lifeline on 13 11 14.