“Hot weather can lead to heat exhaustion and life-threatening situations for people who do not take a few simple precautions to manage their health,” according to acting NSW Ambulance chief superintendent Ian Johns.

Mr Johns said over the coming days drinking small amounts of water often and staying out of the sun could be the key to avoiding heatstroke.

“Make no mistake - heat can kill,” he said.

“People working in excessively hot environments such as in roof cavities can suffer a rapid and extreme escalation of body temperature which can lead to instant death.”

Mr Johns said older people could become confused if they didn’t drink enough water in hot weather and family, friends and carers of the elderly should encourage them to take sips of water often.

“Dehydration in the frail can lead to confusion and a fall that could lead to a loss of independent living or worse,” Mr Johns said.

He said NSW Ambulance also recommended people not undertake any activity that could put their body under stress in extreme heat.

“If you are in a high-risk group the next few days are certainly not the days to be doing gardening or any strenuous work either outside, or even inside,” he said.

“Be aware that alcohol, tea and coffee consumption can also cause dehydration, so temper the effects by also consuming water.”

Mr Johns also said NSW Ambulance had experience of arriving at homes to treat patients for heatstroke and exhaustion only to find fans and airconditioners that had the potential to cool a room down not switched on.