VICTORIA sweltered through it’s hottest December day on record last Friday, with the tiny town of Hopetoun claiming the title for the hottest in the state.
The Mallee town reached a scorching 47.9 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 46.6 degrees set at Robinvale on New Year’s Eve in 1976.
Swan Hill’s temperature peaked at 46.6 degrees at approximately 4.30pm and hovered around the 45-degree mark for more than seven hours.
It didn’t dip below 40 degrees until about 8.30pm, with the cool change arriving by early Saturday morning.
Locals were seen cooling off in the district pools, while the streets lay bare as majority sought reprieve indoors under the air- conditioner.
The extreme heat was paired with poor air quality as some of the most devastating bushfires continue to burn across NSW.
A total fire ban was put in place for both NSW and Victoria, due to strong winds and “extreme” fire danger for more than 24 hours.
The state government urged all residents to turn off their washing machines and other electricals to take as much pressure off the electricity grid as possible.
“The experts assure us that we have sufficient energy supply for today,” health minister Jenny Mikakos said on Friday.
“But it is sensible to not turn on your dishwasher and your washing machine and all your electrical appliances on days like today.”
People are urged to check on their neighbours, the elderly and expectant mothers in the extreme heat, and reminded not to leave children locked in cars on hot days.
“The temperature inside a car can double in just the space of a few minutes,” Ms Mikakos said.
“If you leave a child or a pet in a car unattended, you will be putting their life at risk.”
According to Ambulance Victoria, there have been 1491 call outs to people trapped in cars with the bulk for children under the age of 13, including babies, since November 30.
