Summer & asthma season
The Department of Education and Training has circulated information and advice to assist schools and students to prepare for the summer and the thunderstorm asthma season. Our school community's will find this advice useful.
Prepare for summer and the thunderstorm asthma season
UV radiation is at its highest from mid-August to April and peaks during school hours. Schools are required to have measures in place to manage extreme heat and provide sun and UV protection.
Extreme heat or a heatwave is a period of unusual and uncomfortable hot weather that can negatively affect health.
Asthma and hay fever symptoms increase every year between October and December. There is also the chance of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event during grass pollen season.
Increased risk of thunderstorm asthma can occur in people with:
- asthma
- a past history of asthma
- undiagnosed asthma
- hay fever, who may not have asthma
- poor control and self-management of asthma.
Schools should practise heat health, sun protection and prepare for the potential of thunderstorm asthma.
Take important steps to ensure students are sun smart and safe:
Extreme heat and sun protection preparation
- Develop independent sun protection skills (e.g. hats, sunscreen, clothing).
- Schedule outdoor activities in the coolest part of the day and ensure there is adequate shade for students and staff.
- Drink water – students should always have access to water.
Thunderstorm asthma preparation and event alerts
- Ensure students have an asthma action plan (developed with the treating medical team), and an allergy plan if required.
- Keep asthma medication readily accessible.
- Avoid being outside during thunderstorms that occur between October and December, especially the wind gusts that come before the storm.
- Subscribe to the Prepare and Get Ready - VicEmergency to receive warnings.