With the summer season officially kicking off, Hume council is encouraging locals to keep safety front of mind.
Along with barbecues and trips to the pool, summer also brings heatwaves, thunderstorm asthma, the fire danger period and increased snake sightings.
According to Hume, people can stay safe by keeping on top of:
1) Asthma — people should have their asthma action plan handy, and should learn asthma first-aid, which includes knowing how to administer asthma-relieving medication and when to call an ambulance — it could “save a life”.
2) Water safety practices — council and Life Saving Victoria urge everyone to supervise children at all times around water, learn swimming and lifesaving skills, wear a life jacket when boating, fishing or paddling, and avoid alcohol around water.
3) Preventative measures for heat-related illnesses — the best way to get ahead of this, according to the council, is to stay somewhere cool and drink plenty of water.
4) Snakes — they’re active at this time of the year and will often seek warm places to sun-bake, which can be in parks and reserves, and sometimes in backyards with dense shrubs, tree hollows and long grass.
5) Fire Danger Period — make sure you know what you can and can’t do during the Fire Danger Period and pay attention to fire restrictions and warnings, prepare your property and be sure to have a plan in place.
For more information around staying safe this summer, visit www.hume.vic.gov.au/Residents/Latest-News/News-and-Media-Releases/Be-safe-this-summer
