Summer is coming and it’s going to be hot! While the warmer weather is welcome for many, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting this Summer will be much warmer and drier than usual. This means there is a higher risk of extreme heat events and bushfires.

It’s important to think about how you might deal with hot or smokey days before they happen so you’re not trying to make decisions while stressed.

While you might need to use more energy to keep comfortable this summer, make sure you look after your health first. While there are ways to keep cool while managing your bill, you should always prioritise your health and if this means a higher bill your energy retailer can help you with a payment plan.

Here's some tips for how you can keep comfortable this summer and a range of services that are available.

First though: Why is heat a problem?

• Your heart has to work harder in the heat which can make heart conditions worse.
• We get dehydrated quicker, especially young children, which can lead to heatstroke.
• Heatwaves can also impact our mental health, with rates of aggression, depression and anxiety increasing.
• Certain medical conditions and medication can affect your body’s ability to deal with heat. Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure.

How to keep cool without blowing up your bill

The fan first strategy:

• While it might feel nice to sit in front of the air-conditioner, it’s not the most efficient way to cool your home.
• Remember your fan! Research shows, if you run your fan at the same time, you can run your air-conditioner up to four degrees higher and still feel the same level of cooling.

Even if you don’t have an air conditioner or can’t afford to run yours, there are plenty of ways to keep cool in summer.

• Fans are still great on their own! Using a fan on it’s own can help keep people cool well into the high 30s and only cost about 2 cents per hour to run.
• But if it gets to 40*C and beyond, then fans are just blowing hot air on you and you could become dehydrated.
• In the high 30s and into the 40s water becomes your best friend. Spraying it on your skin or putting a wet towel around your neck will help cool you down. Also remember to keep hydrated!
• Block out the sun at home during the day by closing curtains and blinds.
• Open windows when there is a cool breeze, the outside temperature is cooler than inside, and if it is safe to do so.

You can also check out these extra suggestions from the Climate Council about what to do in a heatwave: Surviving a heatwave: how to stay cool this summer.

ACT Emergency Services also have a range of tips to avoid heat stress and what signs to look out for. The most important thing to remember is that drowsiness or unconsciousness and hot dry skin are definite indicators of heat stroke. This is an Emergency. You should ring Emergency 000 immediately and ask for an Ambulance.

What is the ACT Government doing to support people through summer?

The ACT Government is currently seeking expressions of interest from community clubs to be heat and smoke refuges during an emergency or other hazard event.

A list of registered clubs will be maintained by the Justice and Community Safety (JACS) Directorate. Having club refuges in the ACT will give people access to venues that typically have ventilation and air conditioning and could give people somewhere to go during heat or smoke events to be in a better indoor environment.

Also, not only are public library branches free and open to everyone, but all are air conditioned. The community can enjoy access to free books, DVDs, magazines, music downloads, e-books, wi-fi, programs and events, and of course some air-conditioning.

During cases of extreme heat, some library branches may extend their opening hours to allow the public to escape the heat. This is determined at the time on advice from ACT Health.

When extreme heat events occur, more information on the extended opening hours will be displayed on the Libraries ACT website.

Getting support to make your house more energy efficient will also make it more comfortable as well as easier and cheaper to cool. You can check out what rebates and incentives you could get on the Everyday Climate Choices website. They have options for concession card holders, renters, homeowners and owners corporations. Or call the Sustainable Home Advice Program on 1300 141 777 to get some guidance.

Help Evoenergy support energy reliability in summer

In hot and dry bushfire conditions, fire or wind could damage the electricity and/or gas network (e.g. the poles, wires and pipes). If you see any damage or danger to the electricity and/or gas network, you can report it directly to Evoenergy (who run both networks).

You can call their 24/7 electricity or gas network hotlines or contact them on Instagram or Facebook @evoenergy.

• Electricity -> 13 10 93
• Gas -> 13 19 09

How to be prepared this summer

As mentioned, it would be good to think ahead about what you might do before stressful heat or bushfire events happen.

For hot days this could be as simple as going to a community club or library or buying your family a fan for Christmas.

For bigger events like bushfires this might require more planning. According to the ACT Emergency Services, most of Canberra is either surrounded by or in a bushfire prone area.

The Red Cross Get Prepared app is easy-to-use and empowers you to make important decisions ahead of time by making a plan. This way you can take care of yourself, your loved ones, and what's important to you.

There are also some handy online guides available to help with bushfire and emergency planning:

• Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross
• How to stay healthy when there is bushfire smoke | Asthma Australia
• Emergency Survival Plan | ACT Emergency Services
• Be Bushfire Ready | ACT Government

Remember if you’re ever affected by an emergency, you can call your energy retailer to let them know and they can provide you with a payment extension, payment plan or longer-term financial support.

Don’t forget to check on your neighbours and community to see if anyone you know needs help to get prepared for this summer.

Trial an EV on International Day of People with a Disability

The Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) is holding an EV experience event in Canberra this Sunday 3 December, 11am – 3pm at the Mawson Park and Ride carpark.

Everyone is welcome, but since 3 December is also International Day of People with a Disability, AEVA would particularly like to invite people with a disability and their carers, family and friends. Come along with your questions and:

• learn about accessibility requirements for public EV chargers
• listen to acoustic warnings given by approaching EVs
• talk to the owner of an EV fitted with hand controls which will be on display
• understand some of the challenges and solutions in current EV accessibility design
• help AEVA understand your EV needs and concerns to help shape policy

For more information contact Lauren Brand from AEVA ACT on 0403 602 577 or see the attached flyer.

If there is anything else you would like us to share in future newsletters feel free to contact me on [email protected] or (02) 6202 7227. If you want an accessible or hard copy version of this newsletter please get in touch and I will arrange one for you. :)

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