The heatwave that has persisted across the district puts our average temperature, 33 degrees, in the shade.

Temperatures across the district have remained at 35 degrees or above for the past 36 days, more than double the previous record set in 1981 for consecutive hot days.

It’s essential residents make a plan to beat the heat.

The state government advises four simple steps in the first instance: drink plenty of water; keep cool, such as having tepid showers or going for a swim; take care of others by checking on the elderly during the intense heat and have a plan.

Our core body temperature is 37 degrees, which made it a challenge to keep cool over these past few weeks.

Heat can be fatal, so staying cool can literally save lives.

Dipping your hand in cold water and wearing damp clothes are effective, quick ways of cooling down. 

One way for families to keep cool is use the facilities at Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre.

Free slide rides are offered every Friday, while the Olympic pool is kept at a constant temperature of about 26 degrees.

“In this heat we’ve also notice domestic travellers are seeing the centre from the new bypass and are dropping in to cool off,” chief operating officer Julie Rushby said.

Yates Refrigeration and Air Conditioning manager Cheryline Yates says demand for units has “massively increased” over the past three weeks.

“There’s been a huge rush of sales with the onset of this record-breaking heat,” Ms Yates said. 

She advised residents to set their air conditioning units at between 22 and 24 degrees, considered the “human comfort” zone.

“Some people set the temperature to 18 degrees, but the unit struggles to keep the temperature so low and so doesn’t provide best value.”

While many of us enjoy an ice cream in this weather, a more effective way of keeping cool is to eat curry. Most dishes contain capsaican, found in chillis.

This stimulates sweat, which in turn evaporates, ultimately making us feel cooler.