Health and safety

Weather

Visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website for up-to-date weather reports.

Fire danger rating and fire bans

Visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website to check the fire danger rating and for fire bans in your local area.

Coping with hot weather

• Heat affects everyone – It is important to take extra care during hot weather to reduce your risk of heat-related illness.
• There are simple ways to keep cool and stay hydrated in summer:

• • Avoid being outdoors in the hottest part of the day as much as possible.
  • Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  • Take water with you if you’re going outside.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to manage your health in the heat if you have a chronic illness, are on regular medications, or have a limit on your fluid intake.
  • Protect your skin and eyes from the sun by applying sunscreen to exposed skin, wearing sunglasses and a hat.
  • Even after hot weather has passed, your body can still be affected by it.  Monitor your health in the days following hot weather and get medical assistance if you feel unwell.

Smoke, air pollution & bushfires

If there is bushfire smoke in your area, take steps to reduce the time you spend in smoky air. Bushfire smoke has fine particles that can affect your health. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from bushfire smoke at www.health.nsw.gov.au/bushfires.

Sun exposure

The Australian sun is intense in January so make sure you:

• slip on a shirt or other weather-appropriate clothing
• slap on a hat
• slop on some sunscreen throughout Australia Day
• seek shade where possible and minimise the time you spend in the sun between 10 AM and 3 PM
• slide on some sunnies (i.e. sunglasses). 

Learn how to be sun smart on the Cancer Council website.

Water

Sydney tap water is of a high quality. It’s treated to high standards and safe to drink straight from the tap.