Temperatures set to spike in Hawke’s Bay
The next five days in Hawke’s Bay are going to be scorchers, and local health experts are concerned.
Four of the next five days are going to see highs of more than 33 degrees Celsius in Napier and Hastings, and babies, the elderly, schoolchildren and outdoor workers will be at risk of dehydration, says Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.
The DHB’s communities, women and health medical director, Philip Moore, said vulnerable people, especially the elderly and babies, would need extra care.
‘‘Babies and young children need to be watched carefully, as they are at higher risk than others of dehydrating quickly in this heat.’’
He said babies should be breastfed or bottle fed more often, and older babies and young children should be offered water more often. Youngsters should be in cool clothing and kept out of the sun – and ‘‘never leave children in a car, even for a moment’’.
With a new school year starting, schools should plan any outdoor activities early in the day, to avoid the sun between 11am and 4pm, when its ultraviolet rays were most fierce, Moore said.
They should make sure there was shade available, and encourage children to wear broadbrimmed hats and apply sunscreen often.
Public health medicine specialist Rachel Eyre said older people could also be at risk, especially those who suffered from confusion, as they might not know or might not be able to communicate that they were thirsty.
‘‘Dehydration can make confusion worse. Older people being cared for should be offered water more often than usual, kept as cool as possible, and watched for changes in condition, especially increased confusion or fainting.’’
Also at risk were outdoor workers, she said.