Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Setting your air conditioner to 23 degrees or higher can help avoid strain on the electricity grid.
In brief:
- Summers in Canberra can be long, hot and dry.
- It’s important to be prepared for extreme heat and emergencies.
- This story contains tips and information to help you prepare for the summer months.
Canberrans have a long, hot and dry summer ahead of us. It’s important to be aware of potential risks to your family and your property.
There are actions that you can take to prepare for the summer months. This includes things like preparing for hazard season and using electricity carefully.
Be emergency ready
During summer, the ACT can have a higher risk for:
- bushfires
- grass fires
- storms flood
- extreme heat weather events.
If you and your home prepare well, you stand a better chance of surviving an emergency.
You can be emergency ready by completing or updating your survival plan and packing your home emergency kit.
Visit the ACT Emergency Services Agency website for more information and resources.
Take note of prescribed burns
The ACT Government conducts several prescribed burns each year to manage fire risk across the region.
You’ll also see the ACT Government’s mowing team busy managing grass growth across the territory. This is part of the annual mowing program. This not only improves presentation, access and safety, it reduces fire fuel.
Find out when prescribed burns are happening in your area.
You can also check the ESA website to see a list of active incidents.
And if you see a fire unattended, call triple-zero (000).
Know your nearest heat refuge
During cases of extreme heat, some library branches may extend their opening hours. This is to allow the public to escape the heat. Extended opening hours is determined at the time on advice from ACT Health.
Not only are public library branches free and open to everyone, but all are air conditioned. The community can enjoy access to free books, DVDs, magazines, music downloads, e-books, wi-fi, programs and events.
When extreme heat events occur, Libraries ACT will display the extended opening hours on their website. Find out more.
Be energy conscious this summer
On extreme heat days, the electricity grid can become strained. It’s important to be mindful of your energy use. This can help manage demand on days like these while still keeping your home cool and comfortable. It can also help you save on energy bills.
Our top tips to turn down the heat include:
- use fans first – they are cheaper to run
- set your air conditioner to 23 degrees or higher
- service or clean filters on aircons to help your system run more efficiently
- keep windows covered during the day to keep out the heat
- open windows at the end of the day to benefit from the cooler evening air
- draught proof your home to prevent cool air from escaping from gaps between windows, doors, vents and exhausts.
Visit the Climate Choices website for more ideas on saving energy and saying cool for less.
Read more like this:
Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter: