By PAUL MILLAR
THREE Geelong children were treated for heat stress after being left in oven-like conditions in cars at two local shopping centres.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said paramedics were called to treat two children at a Highton shopping centre and another at Newcomb on Tuesday.
It was on a day when the temperatures peaked at 44.7 degrees and despite repeated warnings about leaving youngsters to dehydrate in vehicles in the blistering heat.
Fortunately, the children recovered from their ordeal. They are among eight other youngsters left in cars, on the same day, across the state.
Tests by Ambulance Victoria found that even on a 29-degree day the inside of a car can reach 44 degrees within 10 minutes and hit 60 degrees within 20 minutes. Children are unable to regulate body temperate as well as adults.
Meanwhile Geelong has been placed on high fire alert with stifling conditions continuing and the possibility of lightning strikes igniting tinder dry paddocks.
The CFA warned a grassfire, scorching 115 hectares of land at Little River on Tuesday, could be an indicator of things to come.
Police have also confirmed that an arson chemist will investigate the cause of the fire and determine whether there is any link to a similar blaze in the same area, exactly a year previously.
The Country Fire Authority, battling fires across the state this week, has warned that Friday would be a massive test.
“We are expecting a strong south-westerly across the state and then there is a real risk of dry lightning,” Mick Hodder, the authority’s regional spokesman told the Independent.
The mercury is again tipped to climb into the low 40s on Friday, baking already parched grasslands.
Mr Hodder said the thousands of tourists visiting Geelong or staying along the coast should be aware of the dangers of fire, fuelled by the hot spell.
“Holidaymakers, especially those travelling should be prepared and always make sure that they are connected to an emergency source for information and before travelling should always check conditions.
“Stay informed,” he said, adding that those on properties should have an action plan and stick to it.
More than 74,000 people fled to regional beaches on Monday and Tuesday hoping to draw some relief from a sea breeze or cool down in the water, according to Surf Lifesaving Victoria.
Life guards issued more than 2000 alerts and warnings during that period and performed rescues at Point Lonsdale, Barwon Heads and Torquay.
Pets were also suffering badly in the stifling weather, according to Belinda Russo, the chief executive at the Geelong Animal Welfare Society.
“Our vet clinic has been flat-out treating pets for heat exhaustion, dogs likes pugs and boxers seem to suffer more than most, as well as the older dogs,” Ms Russo said.
She said rabbits and guinea pigs were also struggling to cope as many were kept in tin sheds that held the heat and provided little ventilation.
