As many Highlanders marked Australia Day outdoors, several people sought medical attention due to the heat.
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Temperatures hit the 30s from 9am on Saturday, and reached 35 degrees at the start of Berrima’s Australia Day grand parade at midday.
The temperature reached a peak of almost 39 degrees at 3.30pm.
Relief wasn’t felt until the evening, as temperatures dipped back into 20s at about 7pm.
During the day, paramedics were called to a heat-related job in Berrima.
An NSW Ambulance media spokesman said an ambulance was called to treat a person who was suffering from heat-related exhaustion.
However the job was called off at the last minute.
The NSW Ambulance spokesman said a second ambulance was called to Berrima with reports of a person who was “faint and unconscious”.
However he said it was not clear whether heat directly contributed to this case.
A South Western Sydney Local Health District spokeswoman said several people presented to Bowral and District Hospital’s emergency department with pre-existing conditions, but no one presented specifically due to the heat.
“They’re coming in with other conditions that might be exasperated by the heat,” the spokeswoman said.
These calls highlight the importance of managing your health on hot days.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the 30s for most of the week.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, temperatures could reach a top of 32 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday.
The temperature is expected to drop back into the 20s for the start of February, with a top of 20 degrees and rain predicted for Friday.
Director of Environmental Health Dr Richard Broome urged people to stay indoors during the heat of the day, minimise physical activity and keep hydrated during the heatwave.
“We know that conditions like these can cause severe illness, hospital admission and even deaths,” Dr Broome said.
“Heat puts a lot of strain on the body and can cause dehydration, heat stress and heat stroke. It can also make underlying health conditions worse.”
Dr Broome said people over 75, people with chronic medical conditions and people who lived alone were particularly vulnerable.
“Simple precautions can reduce the risk of heat-related illness,” he said.
“It’s best to try and avoid the heat of the day by staying indoors. If you don’t have air conditioning, using a fan and keeping curtains shut can help to keep you cool. It’s also important to minimise physical activity and to drink plenty of water.
“It’s also really important to stay in regular contact with elderly neighbours, friends and relatives because they may be more vulnerable to the heat.”
Signs of heat-related illness include dizziness, tiredness, irritability, thirst, fainting, muscle pains or cramps, headache, changes in skin colour, rapid pulse, shallow breathing, vomiting and confusion.
People showing severe signs of heat-related illness should seek urgent medical attention and call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency situation.
