Stay cool this summer
Published on 08 December 2025
Taking simple steps to stay cool this summer will help protect your well-being and ensure you enjoy the warmer months safely.
Our bodies can become more sensitive to heat as the years go by. High temperatures can lead to dehydration, dizziness, or heat-related illnesses more quickly than we might expect. Certain medications or health conditions can add to these risks.
When the warmer weather comes:
- Stay hydrated
- Stay indoors in air-conditioned places when possible
- Use cool, wet towels on your skin or dip your feet in cool water
- Close your curtains or blinds early to block out the sun
- Wear loose clothes made from natural fibres
- If you need to go outside, make sure you go early to beat the heat and remember to wear a hat and take a bottle of water
- Eat light, cool meals like salads
- Avoid heavy physical activity (like gardening) during the hottest parts of the day.
In preparation for the heat you can:
- Plan ahead for your supermarket shopping and filling prescriptions
- Ensure air-conditioning or fans are working and safe
- Prepare for the possibility of power outages with flashlights, a fully charged mobile phone and non-perishable food.
If you're able, be sure to check in on your friends and neighbours too.
We want all our clients to stay cool, safe and healthy in the extreme heat.
For more hints and tips about staying safe this summer visit kingston.vic.gov.au/summer-safety or call our AccessCare team on 1300 819 200.
Services that can help if you feel unwell in the heat.
Extreme heat can worsen some medical conditions, and Heatstroke is a medical emergency.
- NURSE-ON-CALL by calling 1300 60 60 24 for 24-hour health advice.
- For life-threatening emergencies, call 000.
The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) is a free telehealth service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can help treat non-life-threatening emergencies virtually, with no need to attend an emergency department. It can be accessed by anyone in Victoria with a mobile device and an internet connection by visiting the VVED website.