Blue Mountains News

When temperatures soar and your home heats up, tempers can easily become frayed and your health can take a hit. Not everyone has the benefit of air-conditioning, and all-day running costs are prohibitive for many people. Luckily there are many places across the Blue Mountains offering free and low-cost places to visit to escape the heat. 

Health and safety in the heat

If you are sweltering at home or venturing out and about in the heat, the NSW Department of Health has provided a ‘Keep Cool, Stay Hydrated’ guide to help you stay safe during high temperatures.

The Department advises you should drink plenty of water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. If your doctor has asked that you limit your fluid intake, ask how much water you should drink during hot weather. Do not replace your water intake with alcoholic or sugary drinks and carry water with you if you are spending time outdoors.

If you prefer to stay at home, the Department provides the following tips, especially helpful if you don’t have air-conditioning and/or your fans aren’t making a big impact:

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothes.
• Avoid being outdoors in the hottest part of the day as much as possible. If you have to go outside, seek shade or shelter.
• Close curtains and blinds to block out the sun.
• Spend time in the coolest area of your home.
• Limit physical activity to early in the morning when it is coolest.
• Use stoves and ovens as little as possible as these can heat up the home.
• Wet your skin with cool water using a spray bottle or a damp sponge or cloth.
• Place cool packs or crushed ice in a damp towel loosely over your neck and shoulders.
• Take cool showers or baths or sit for a while with your feet in cool water.
• When it becomes cooler outside, open your windows and doors to allow the warm air out and the cool air in.

The Department recommends people seek out cool places or air-conditioned public facilities you can safely travel to without getting too hot. When outdoors, you should protect yourself from the sun by applying sunscreen and wearing sun-protective clothing, sunglasses and a wide brim hat.

Where to cool down in the Blue Mountains

The following guides provide ideas for places you can visit across the Blue Mountains to cool down, in air-conditioning and outdoors. You can also contact the Visitor Information Centres in Glenbrook and Katoomba for more ideas.

Blackheath Area: here

Katoomba Area: here

Mid Mountains: here

Springwood Area: here

Lower Mountains: here