Households that struggle with rising power bills are bracing for a wave of extremely hot weather across parts of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects the mercury in Adelaide to soar to 38 degrees Celsius today before tops of 40C on Thursday and 39C on Friday, while western and northern parts of the state will endure even higher temperatures.
Rita McDonald, 58, who relies on government payments, said the extreme heat could not come at a worse time.
"I am panicking because it's going to be very, very hot in the next week or so," she said.
"I don't have any cooling, I have no money, I haven't had it [money] for a few days.
"The next four days is not going to be a summer adventure for me like other people who are going to the beach and pool.
"I am worried for my health — I have been in hospital multiple times with uncontrolled diabetes — the heat could be a problem."
Ms McDonald's air conditioner is broken and she cannot afford to fix it.
Charities fear even those with working air conditioners will be tempted to leave them switched off to save money.
South Australia Council of Social Service chief executive Ross Womersley said many people below the poverty line would not turn on their power despite the health risks.
"Most people would be surprised to know the amount of people who die from heat exposure in Australia," Mr Womersley said.
"We know full well that there's groups in our community who simply don't have the means to stay cool."
He said there were many South Australians like Ms McDonald who battled to keep cool.
"In the midst of a heatwave, we are really worried about those households where in fact the quality of the house is so poor … there's no doubt that low-quality housing has a deep and lasting impact on the lives of people and the costs that low-income houses face," he said.
Checking in with vulnerable people
Red Cross in South Australia will use its Telecross REDi program to call and check in with vulnerable and isolated people during the heatwave.
Senior project officer Eilish Maguire said volunteers had noticed an increase in people suffering.
She said there were more deaths in Australia from heat and heatwaves than any other disaster.
"We do have a lot of clients who have concerns around air conditioning, fans and electricity and a hesitation to turn it on, especially on these days when it gets up to 40 degrees," Ms Maguire said.
"Our messaging to those people who are feeling the pinch is to put your health first.
"We do have data that implies that people that are living in disadvantaged areas may be more impacted by heat."
South Australia's State Emergency Service has issued warnings for severe heatwave conditions in the state's west coast, the lower and eastern Eyre Peninsula, the Flinders Ranges, the Mid North, the north-west pastoral district and the Yorke Peninsula.
The rest of the state is enduring a low-intensity heatwave.
This summer is the first in Adelaide to have two days over 40C in three years.
