South Australians are being urged to actively prevent heat stroke as the hottest temperatures in three years sweep across the state.
Authorities have activated heatwave emergency plans, with the SES urging people in areas affected by severe heatwave conditions to stay indoors if possible.
The Bureau of Meteorology has asked people with medical conditions, older people and children to drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun.
Community centres in Adelaide will be opened for rough sleepers and homelessness services will conduct outreach programs around the city.
The Red Cross will provide free healthcare checks.
"Check in regularly with family, friends and neighbours," South Australian SES chief of staff Leanne Schmidt said.
She said people had become complacent in the past few years of lower temperatures, and urged people to be proactive in preventing heatstroke.
Heatwaves are one of the most dangerous natural hazards in Australia.
Researchers in NSW have found that in the last 100 years, extreme temperatures have caused more human deaths than bushfires, storms or floods.
At Adelaide Zoo, staff turned to ice baths and frozen treats to keep animals cool.
On Tuesday, keepers gave a bubblegum and pine-scented ice bath to the zoo's giant panda Wang Wang, and fed the zoo's meerkats ice blocks filled with fish.
Zookeeper Laura Trollope said ice and frozen treats were good ways to keep pets healthy in the heat.
"Not only will this help during the hot weather but it will keep them mentally happy and healthy as they explore their frozen snack," she said.
