dehydration

Many Australians don’t understand just how quickly the temperature in a car can rise – and therefore why it’s so dangerous to leave children in cars unattended, particularly in summer’s scorching heat, says Melanie Courtney, executive officer of Kidsafe Victoria.

Today could have been the hottest Australian day on record: yesterday, Monday 7 January 2012, a new national area-average maximum of 40.33 degrees C was set, and the Bureau of Meteorology reports that ‘further significant records’ are likely to be set.

A widespread, severe heatwave now affecting large parts of inland Australia, will continue through the weekend, warns the Bureau of Meteorology – which has implications for the health of many.

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is urging parents and coaches of junior soccer to understand what makes the best choice for half-time drinks and snacks during junior sport.

A South African hydration expert has slammed the role of sports drinks in setting the agenda on fluid intake during exercise, saying Australians are actually more likely to cause themselves harm by over-consuming fluids, rather than suffering any ill effects of dehydration.