Heat related illness

Infants and young children cannot understand or able to express the dehydration and tiredness that happens to their body because of exposure to heat during summer.

Parents must be careful about the exposure of young bodies to over heat that could cause several types of illness.

CDC has several tips on their website and we are sharing few tips from them here:

What are the different ways to keep children safe from heat?

Keep kids cool and hydrated

1. Never leave infants or children in a parked car, even if the windows are open.
2. Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
3. Make sure they’re drinking plenty of fluids. Stay away from cold drinks or drinks with too much sugar.

Never leave kids in a parked car

1. Even when it feels cool outside, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly.
2. Leaving a window open is not enough- temperatures inside the car can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes, even with a window cracked open.
3. Children who are left unattended in parked cars are at greatest risk for heat stroke, and possibly death.

Tips for traveling with children

1. Never leave infants or children in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
2. To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
3. When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.

Do Not Leave Children in Cars: Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. While anyone left in a parked car is at risk, children are especially at risk of getting a heat stroke or dying. When traveling with children, remember to do the following:

1. Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
2. To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
3. When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.

How to stay cool? Tips for parents to keep family safe from heat during summer.

• Wear Appropriate Clothing: Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay Cool Indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Keep in mind: Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.
• Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully: Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to ecover.
• Pace Yourself: Cut down on exercise during the heat. If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
• Wear Sunscreen: Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions. Tip: Look for sunscreens that say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels- these products work best.
• Avoid Hot and Heavy Meals: They add heat to your body!

For more please visit : https://www.cdc.gov/

Image courtesy Heat related illness Instagram: CDC.gov

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