Kids Safety during Hot Weather
Thinking kids safety during hot weather is always very important. Babies and young children should be watched carefully once temperatures are rising. They can quickly lose body fluids through perspiring, which can lead to dehydration. They need to drink regularly, wear light clothing and be kept cool.
So here is what to do during the hot weather:
Offer frequent drinks to avoid dehydration – Give young children regular drinks during the day. Water is best! If you are breastfeeding, feed your baby more often. Have plenty of fluids yourself, including a cool drink at every feed. If you are bottle feeding, offer extra cool, boiled water after each bottle.
Keep children cool – It is often better to stay indoors on a hot day. But if you must go outside, please remember to dress your child in light clothing and a well-fitting sun hat, take plenty of drinks for your child and keep in the shade. If your child is going outdoors, use an SPF 30+ sunscreen on your child’s face, hands and any other parts of the body that aren’t covered by clothes. Sunscreen works better if you put it on 20 minutes before you go outside, and reapply it every two hours.
Never leave a child unattended in a car – Never leave children or animal in the car on a hot day! Leaving a child on their own, locked in a car on any day, especially a hot day, even for a short period, can be fatal. The temperature inside a car can very quickly climb to dangerous levels. Children are more at risk from heat-related problems because they can lose fluid very quickly and become dehydrated, leading to heat stroke and potentially death. If you need to go out in the car in hot weather, try to make trips in the coolest part of the day, keep the windows open while the car is moving or use the air conditioner and never leave babies or young children alone in a car, even to run a quick errand, no matter what the weather. Even in mild weather, cars can quickly become too hot for small children. Use sunshades on windows.
Keep children cool when they sleep – Your child will sleep more comfortably if you let them sleep in the coolest room in the house. Make sure air can circulate around them. You may use fans, but not directed at the child. Cover mattresses and waterproof sheets with thick layers of cotton sheets to absorb perspiration and prevent prickly heat rash. Avoid using a pillow or mattress that your baby sinks down into.
Sick children need special care in hot weather – Sick children need special attention in hot weather. Even minor illnesses, such as colds or gastroenteritis, need special care in hot weather. These illnesses often lead to a slight rise in temperature by themselves but, in hot weather, this could lead to dehydration. Frequent breastfeeding and extra drinks are very important if your baby is ill. To cool hot little bodies, try frequent lukewarm baths, or sponge your child down with a cool face washer. Always seek help if there is no improvement or if you are worried.
Here are some warning signs of dehydration to watch out for. Your Child may be at risk if:
Seems tired and lethargic
Has sunken and dark eyes
Is irritable or crying
Has fewer wet nappies than usual
Has hot and dry skin or looks pale
Has a dry and coated-looking tongue and mouth
Has a high temperature
Vomits or has diarrhea
Is not eating or drinking.
If you are worried that your child has one or more of these signs, take your child to a doctor or hospital.
Here is what to remember:
Babies overheat quickly in hot weather.
Give babies and young children extra drinks in hot weather.
Dress babies and young children in cool clothing and apply hats and sunscreen.
Let babies and young children sleep in the coolest room in the house.
Never leave children in the car.
