A heatwave warning has been issued for large parts of eastern Queensland, with sweltering conditions expected for at least the rest of the week.
Overnight, Redcliffe had the highest minimum in the south-east of the state with 25.8 degrees, while many Brisbanites would have slept uncomfortably with a minimum of 24.9C.
While the temperature in Brisbane may reach 31 degrees today, it's expected to hit 34C on Friday and Saturday, with overnight minimums in the mid-20s.
“We’ve got some northerly or north-easterly winds coming down from the north of the state and they’re running over the warm tropical waters of the Coral Sea, so not only are they bringing down those warm temperatures off the Coral Sea, they’re also bringing down a lot of moisture as well," the Bureau of Meteorology's Bradley Wood said.
‘So those warm temperatures plus the moisture are making it feel very uncomfortable.”
It has prompted the Bureau of Meteorology, paramedics and other authorities to remind Queenslanders about the dangers of heat stress, which can be fatal in some cases.
Here are the basic dos and don'ts when navigating a heatwave.
DO: Drink heaps of water
Simple, right?
It sounds like a no-brainer, but even if you're staying inside, drinking more water is crucial during heatwave conditions.
Queensland Ambulance Service Clinical Director Tony Hucker recommends keeping cold water with you all day, and sipping it regularly to maintain hydration.
"Heat-related disease and syndromes can be fatal if we don't watch it, but it can be easily averted," he says.
DON'T: Exert yourself outside if you can avoid it
The next few days probably aren't the best time for a mid-afternoon run.
But for some people, avoiding being outdoors during the hottest part of the day is easier said than done.
Mr Hucker says it's even more important for those who work outside to take it easy in heatwave conditions.
"Even young, fit tradies can succumb to heat-related illness," he says.
"Take some breaks, make sure you drink plenty, and avoid the hottest part of the day."
Light, loose-fitting clothing is also recommended where possible.
If you do need to go outside, don't forget Cancer Council Australia's famous formula — slip on a shirt with sleeves, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on some sunnies.
DO: Seek out cool spaces
Whether it's the local library, the cinema, a shopping centre — if you don't have air conditioning at home, this week might be the perfect time to treat yourself to a day out in a cool space.
The BOM recommends keeping blinds, curtains or awnings closed early in the day to try to keep heat out of the home.
Mr Hucker says an air-conditioned room is the best place to be, but there are ways to minimise the risk of heat stroke even if you don't have access to aircon.
"If you've got a breeze, get access to that," he says.
"Get in front of a fan, splash some water on yourself, it's a great way to reduce your body temperature, and make sure you drink plenty of fluids."
DON'T: Drink alcohol
It might be best to rethink that end-of-week beverage in conditions like what much of Queensland is seeing this week.
"Drinking alcohol is the last thing you want to do when it's hot," Mr Hucker says.
"I know it's tempting to have a nice cold beer, but when it's really hot, the best medicine is cold water."
Mr Hucker says the Queensland Ambulance Service's call-out rates tend to rise as temperatures do during heatwave conditions.
"We might see 3,000 to 4,000 patients a day on a normal day, so we are always busy," he says.
"If we have a particular type of heat, our call rate can go up 10 to 20 per cent that day, so it is significant.
"The way you can help us is to make sure you look after yourselves."
DO: Check on neighbours and friends
Checking on neighbours — particularly elderly neighbours who may not have access to air conditioning — could save lives.
Older people, babies and young children, pregnant or breastfeeding people and people with chronic illnesses are among those most at-risk of being adversely affected by heat stress.
"We need to watch out for the extremes of age," Mr Hucker says.
"Super young bubs and older people in the community are the ones that are most at risk. We need to make sure we keep an eye on them and support them."
Mr Hucker warned some chronic illnesses can flare up in extreme heat, and that often people who suffer heat-related illnesses are those who were already unwell.
"If you have unwell or elderly neighbours close by, please go and knock on their door and make sure they're OK," he says.
"Make sure they've got access to plenty of hydration, it's just so important that we keep ourselves hydrated."
DON'T: Leave kids or pets in the car
Leaving children or animals in vehicles, even for a short amount of time, can be fatal.
Thousands of children a year are rescued after being left unattended in cars in Australia, and temperatures inside a parked car can reach as high as 40C hotter than outside.
Those temperatures rise extremely quickly, so never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even with the aircon on or windows down.
DO: Call for help if someone is in danger
The most severe symptoms of heat stroke or heat stress can include seizures, stroke or even cardiac arrest.
But signs of heat stroke can start quite gradually, with symptoms like sweating, hot and dry skin, weakness, confusion — even not sweating can be a sign something's not right.
"If you're suffering a heat-related syndrome, it can be subtle and it can sneak up on you," Mr Hucker says.
"It can be someone who's just looking a bit flushed in the face, they feel nauseated, they're starting to get disoriented or confused ... that's when you tap them on the shoulder and say, 'let's go sit down in a cool place and have a nice cold drink'."
Mr Hucker says if someone who has been affected by the heat can't keep water down, that's one of the key signals to call for help.
"They're in a lot of trouble if they cannot tolerate oral fluids," he says.
"If they're vomiting, you need to call triple-0 and get an ambulance out to look after them because they're dangerously unwell.
"Heat-related injury can kill you."
