Summer Safety: How to Prevent Children during Summer

Summer brings with it special problems, especially protecting children from the harmful effects of extreme heat. Due to school holidays, children have plenty of time and want to do outdoor activities. So, there is high chances of heat-related complications in the children.

High temperatures can cause children to become sick very quickly in several ways. It can cause

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• Dehydration
• Sunburn
• Heat rash
• Heat cramps
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke

Tips to Beat Heat

1. Stay Hydrated: Encourage your children to drink water frequently. Give coconut water, shikanji, or ORS water to drink after coming from outdoor activities. Intake of Seasonal fruits like watermelon or mango will prevent electrolyte imbalance due to heat exposure. Hydration status can be monitored by observing the urine colour of the child; it should be light-colored if the child is well hydrated. Golden or dark colour urine is suggestive of inadequate water intake.

2. Dress Lightly: Light colour clothing can keep kids stay cool.

• Try to choose loose fitting cloths, which offer both adequate ventilation and protect against direct sun exposure.
• Use plenty of sunscreen. Sunscreen isn't recommended for babies below six months of age, so these kids should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• Keep your littlest ones protected from the sun by dressing them in lightweight and light-coloured small clothes; protect the heads by using sun hats and umbrellas.
• Harmful ultraviolet rays are at their strongest between 9 AM and 5 PM, so don't send your ward for outdoor play or activities during this time to minimise the risk of sunburn.

3. Cool off with Water: When your child is feeling hot, give them a cool bath or water mist to cool down. Use AC to keep room temperature between 24-26° C.

4. Never Leave Your Child Alone in A Car: The inside of a car can become dangerously hot in a short amount of time.

5. Children of all ages should take breaks from playing outside after every 20-30 minutes.

6. Practice water safety protocols to prevent drowning in swimming pools, especially in children of age 1-4. Toddlers should not be an arm's length away from their parents when they're near a swimming pool or any other water body. Empty buckets, bathtubs, coolers, and wading pools immediately after use to prevent drowning of smaller kids.

7. As kids have plenty of time due to school breaks in the summer, they like to eat more junk food. So utilise this time to guide your ward about healthy dietary habits and avoid offering him junk foods, especially ice cream, cold drinks and energy drinks.

Watch for Signs of Heat Illness

• Feeling pale from heat/excessive sweating
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion

Follow these steps after heat exposure-

• If you suspect your child has heat illness, move them to a cooler environment and offer fluids.
• Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms persist or worsen.

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