With NSW set to face sweltering heat this summer and residents already feeling the pinch from soaring electricity costs, City of Canterbury Bankstown is providing free advice to help locals stay cool on a budget.

A free Heat Preparedness Workshop, in collaboration with Red Cross, will be held at Lakemba Senior Citizens Centre on Tuesday 10 December from 6-8pm.

Experts from the Bureau of Meteorology, Red Cross and Bankstown Hospital will offer up their tips and tricks on making your home more energy efficient, keeping cool and caring for yourself in an emergency.

Founder of sustainability education service Good for the Hood, Jo Taranto, will also be sharing her bright ideas to reduce energy use and save money.

“Using less electricity and keeping our house cooler will save us money, as well as helping the grid,” Ms Taranto said.

Ms Taranto said she wants to help those who are struggling with electricity costs and shared some of her tips to keep cool on a budget:

• Improve the thermal efficiency of your home now. This means looking at how we can make changes to the home that will reduce temperature, air flow and humidity;
• Focus on only keeping one room dark and cool and keep vulnerable family members in that area; and
• Have a plan for where to go if your home gets too uncomfortable to stay, such as shopping centers and community spaces.

During the workshop, Ms Taranto will be demonstrating some practical ways to keep the home cool, including bubble wrapping windows and creating a makeshift aircon.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the community is feeling the pinch from the cost of living and rising energy prices.

“We want to support residents in making sustainable choices, both for the environment and their budget,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

“This workshop couldn’t come at a better time, as we are starting to feel the pressures of a long, hot summer.”

The first 40 people to register and attend in person will receive a free cooling gel pillow insert. There will also be a lucky door prize to win, including goodies to help you keep cool throughout summer.

To register for the workshop, visit cb.city/HeatWorkshop