THE Hinterland won’t feel any reprieve from an intensifying heatwave until at least Sunday with 36 degree highs forecast for tomorrow and Saturday.
Concerned authorities have also issued warnings urging residents to avoid dehydrating over the four-day weather event.
A heatwave is determined if the forecasted high daily maximum temperatures are unseasonably high for three or more consecutive days.
The current heatwave is smothering much of Queensland including the Wide Bay and Burnett and South East coast districts.
“Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.
Head of Queensland Health’s Disaster Management Branch Dr Peter Aitken urged residents to practice heat safety during the heatwave.
“It is important to take precautions against dehydration and other heat-related conditions… drink plenty of fluids regularly throughout the day, don’t wait until you’re thirsty,” he said.
“Signs of heat stress can include rising body temperature, dry mouth and eyes, headache, shortness of breath or vomiting… signs of heat stroke can include heat rash, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and seizures.”
As temperatures soar, RACQ is pleading with motorists not to be complacent and keep their car keys close to avoid locking a loved one or pet inside a hot vehicle.
Club spokesperson Kate Leonard-Jones said RACQ patrols responded to more than 1,700 incidents of children and pets locked in vehicles last year.
“We receive roughly four calls a day to rescue a child or animal trapped in a car, and while lock
ins are usually accidental, it can be a very scary and life-threatening situation,” Ms LeonardJones said.
“The vast majority of accidental lock ins happen when the child has been given a set of keys to
play with and they’ve pressed the lock button, so it highlights the importance of keeping your
keys secure.”
RACQ research found the temperature inside a typical car parked outside can increase by 10 degrees within just 10 minutes
“The temperature in a car can skyrocket very quickly even if your car is parked in the shade or if
the window is left ajar,” she said.
“We’re asking drivers to pay extra attention to what you’re doing and don’t leave car keys laying
around or give them to children.
“If a person or animal is locked in a car please call us immediately on 13 11 11. We treat children locked in cars as the highest priority, which is why we go to the rescue of anyone in this situation, whether the driver is an RACQ member or not.
“If you’re concerned about the health of a child, call emergency services on 000 immediately.”
Glass House Mountains hit 29 degrees today before hitting 36 degrees with 53 per cent humidity.
By the weekend, temperatures will begin to ease slightly on Saturday to a maximum of 34 degrees however high humidity will mean it will feel like 37 degrees.
Sunday temperatures will fall to a high of 28 degrees.
Blackall Ranges townships won’t feel the heat quite as much with Maleny forecast to hit 33 degrees on Friday.
Saturday will peak at 31 degrees but will feel like 34 degrees in Maleny before Sunday temperatures drop with a forecast high of 27.
Maleny and Glass House Mountains both have a chance of thunderstorms and a 60 per cent chance of rain on Saturday ahead of the cooler Sunday change.