Healthy Green Beings November 2015
Welcome to the final edition of Healthy Green Beings for 2015. With the warmer weather
upon us, it is timely to ensure we take precautions to protect ourselves with predictions of a
long hot and dry summer ahead.
Are you Fire Ready?
Each year the possibility of bushfire in fire prone areas is a constant threat. The Country Fire
Authority (CFA) urges residents in these areas to ensure they take adequate precautions to
protect themselves from the impacts of fire. This includes preparations to be undertaken
prior to fire season as well as actions to take during the presence of a fire.
The CFA has developed a range of resources to assist the community in adequately
preparing for the fire season. In particular, the Fire Ready Kit has been designed to help
understand fire and plan for survival, beginning with the basics of preparing before the fire
season, through to planning what to do if fire is in your area and you cannot leave.
For further information regarding fire preparedness visit the CFA website at
www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Remember to stay cool
Warmer weather can result in serious health complications if you do not take appropriate
precautions to protect yourself.
Heatwaves occur when warmer weather persists for an unusually long period over a number
of consecutive days. Ambulance Victoria have reported a significant increase in activity over
previous years to treat individuals with symptoms of dehydration and heat stress during
heatwaves.
Unfortunately there have been a number of fatalities during this time, so the threat of heat
cannot be underestimated.
To minimise the impact of a heatwave, here are some handy tips on how to keep yourself,
your family and your home cool this summer:
• Look after yourself and keep in touch with sick or frail friends, neighbours and relatives.
• Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty (if your doctor normally limits your fluids,
check how much to drink during hot weather).
• Keep yourself cool by using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water and taking cool (not
cold) showers.
• Spend as much time as possible in cool or air‑conditioned buildings (for example,
shopping centres, libraries, cinemas or community centres).
• Block out the sun at home during the day by closing curtains and blinds. Open the
windows when there is a cool breeze.
• Don’t leave children, adults or animals in parked vehicles.
• Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. If you must go out, stay in the shade
and take plenty of water with you. Wear a hat and light-coloured, loose‑fitting clothing.
• Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads. Make sure food that needs
refrigeration is properly stored.
• Avoid strenuous activity like sport, home improvements and gardening.
• Watch or listen to news reports that provide more information during a heatwave.
For further information relating to heatwaves please visit the Department of Health and
Human Services website at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/heatwaves.htm
Food safety matters
Over the festive period, we typically attend functions both within and outside the family
home, enjoying food in a variety of settings. With increased temperatures comes an
increased responsibility to ensure food safety matters are adequately addressed.
Keep the following tips in mind when enjoying your food this summer:
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Buy from reputable suppliers with clean premises.
Avoid spoiled foods, foods past their use-by dates or foods in damaged containers or
packaging.
Take chilled, frozen, or hot foods straight home in insulated containers.
Keep raw foods and ready-to-eat foods separate.
Keep high-risk foods out of the Temperature Danger Zone. Keep chilled foods cold at
5°C or colder and hot food hot at 60°C or hotter.
Thoroughly wash and dry hands when preparing food.
Use separate and clean utensils for raw foods and ready-to-eat foods.
Cook minced meats, poultry, fish and sausages thoroughly.
When in doubt, throw it out.
These handy tips should be considered when enjoying food outside the home at picnics or
taking food to work or school,
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Cut meats into serving-size pieces before leaving home, and have all salads ready to
eat.
Put raw meats and high-risk foods into separate leak-proof containers and into
insulated coolers.
Place containers with raw meats at the bottom of an insulated cooler and keep
separate from ready-to-eat foods.
Avoid packing food that has just been cooked or is still warm. Refrigerate overnight
before packing.
Pack plenty of ice packs around chilled foods. Frozen drinks can serve as ice packs,
especially in school lunches.
Don't place ready-to-eat food into containers used for storing raw food without
thoroughly washing and drying the containers first.
Consider using disposable wipes if there is no safe water for hand washing.
For additional information relating to food safety please visit the Department of Health and
Human Services website at http://health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/home/athome.htm
Did you know?
Each year in Australia it is estimated there are over 5.4 million cases of food-borne illness
resulting in 120 deaths.
The estimated annual cost of food poisoning is $1.25 billion
Food poisoning results in approximately 2.1 million lost days of work each year.