Protecting Children in Extreme Heat
As the weather gets hotter, it's important to pay close attention to the temperatures to protect
your kids from extreme heat. Temperatures over 90°F pose a significant health risk by causing
dehydration, heat exhaustion, or stroke. If it's really hot outside, it's best for kids to stay
indoors where it's air conditioned or be outside for only a limited amount of time. Always check
the weather ahead of time to plan accordingly.
There are many ways to help keep children cool during very hot days, including turning on the
air conditioner. If you use fans, keep them at a safe distance from your kids and discourage
them from touching the fans to avoid potential injuries. Keep in mind that fans can't cool the air
when the temperature is over 90°F; it's best to use the air conditioner when the temperature
reaches this high. Dressing in loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing, using ice packs,
swimming in the pool, and taking a cool bath are other ways for kids to cool down.
During hot days, it's important to keep your children hydrated. Encourage them to drink water
frequently throughout the day and remind them as well. For babies under 6 months, they
should only be given breast milk or formula. After 6 months, they can have 4 to 8 ounces of
water daily. Kids between the ages 1 to 3 should be given 4 cups of fluids that include water
and/or milk. Between the ages 4 and 8, kids should be given 5 cups. And for older children, they
should drink 7 to 8 cups. Water and whole milk are the best options for beverages. You can
infuse water with lemon or other fruits to give flavor and make drinking water more fun for
your kids.
For children who play sports or participate in vigorous exercise, they will need to drink more
water to stay hydrated. Look out for signs of dehydration such as dry lips, flushed skin,
irritability, fatigue, headaches, and less visits to the bathroom. For babies, you might also notice
fewer wet diapers.
Whenever traveling, it's extremely important to never leave babies and children in a parked car,
regardless if the windows are open. Even within a few minutes, the inside of the car can
become dangerously hot, which can lead to a heat stroke. If the temperature reaches 104°F,
children's major organs will begin to shut down. Keep your car keys out of your child's reach
and your car locked to prevent the possibility of your child entering your car. Kids can
sometimes accidentally lock themselves inside. Let them know that cars are not a safe place to
play hide and seek.
Always look out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke during very hot days. If you notice
excessive sweating, dehydration, light-headedness, extreme fatigue, fever, nausea, abnormal
breathing, or muscle spasms, contact ER right away. Heat stroke is the most serious and occurs
when the body overheats and begins to shut down. Signs of this include a rapid pulse,
confusion, or unresponsiveness. If this happens, immediate medical attention is needed.
If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your children safe during hot weather, call
our office.