Written by Mary and Susan, Link Wentworth residents
Things are happening that we do not like. We can overcome this. Get in the KNOW about your risks, where to get information and how to manage stress.
Preparing for emergencies
- Get CONNECTED by identifying emergency contacts, meeting places, and people who can help.
- Get ORGANISED with important documents, medical info, insurance and pet plans.
- Get PACKING with a list of important items to help you survive.
Make a mental date, similar to Daylight Saving, e.g., the first of every month, to check on your “go” bags, batteries for torches and your portable radio. Perhaps empty in your garden the water you are saving to take with you (ten litres per person & animal) and replace. See the SES website and stay updated.
Seriously think about how you can help yourself, and others. Perhaps volunteering in some way. Keeping an eye on neighbours, friends and family. Learning more about being prepared e.g., what to do when mould hits, insects and reptiles invade. Your local council and Link Wentworth have resources that you can use.
A few tips on coping with heat and humidity
First you can connect to resources from the Heat and Social Housing project. There are heaps of tips for keeping your home cooled and yourself cooled.
- Always remember to drink water and try to carry a bottle of water with you when you are out or in the car. Try keeping it in your bag or pocket. If you leave it in the car it will get warm and you will drink warm water.
- Put a door snake across your doors to keep out the hot air, it sneaks in. If the door faces the sun you can spray water on the snake to keep it cool.
- In the night when the sun goes down and there is a bit of a breeze, open up the windows and doors, put the fan on with a bowl of ice water and feel the cool air. It is a good feeling, and this allows for the house to cool a bit and also have some air flowing through which can cut down on mould and mildew if your house is prone to mould and mildew. Fans are cheaper to run.
- When going to bed you can put an ice pack on your pillow to keep your head cool while you are sleeping. You can also put a towel in the freezer and place it on your pillow and keep your head cool.
These are some of the ways to help you keep cooler and sane during the hot and humid days.
Please feel free to contact communications@linkwentworth.org.au if you have other ideas to keep cool or be prepared for an emergency.
Heat and Social Housing project resources
This article originally appeared in the December 2022 edition of Link Wentworth’s resident newsletter
Link Wentworth wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we work and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.