Residents urged to prepare for heat wave

CENTRAL West Queensland residents have been warned to take care as daytime temperatures soar above 40 degrees over much of the region for the next few days.

Minimum and maximum temperatures of 5-10 degrees centigrade hotter than average are expected.

Nights also will be hot.

Longreach Hospital Director of Medical Services Dr John Douyere said it was important residents looked after their health by staying cool and hydrated.

"Heat-related illness occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool itself down," Dr Douyere said. "The effects of overheating on the body can vary from heat rash and cramps through to heat exhaustion or heat stroke."

Almost 400 Queenslanders were treated at hospital emergency departments for heat-related illness from July 2011 to June 2012.

Advice is to drink plenty of cool fluids, stay indoors with a good airflow where possible or go to a shopping centre.

Take regular showers or baths and check urine as a guide to hydration. It should be clear to light straw-coloured, not dark or gold.