How to Prevent Heat-Related Illness in Kids

The sunny weather and tropical climate make South Florida a wonderful place to live. Last summer, South Florida residents experienced one of the hottest summers. And with the recent weather, this summer may be the same. 

As the school year ends, children often spend more time playing outdoors. While summer is a time for fun and adventure, high temperatures mixed with a lot of activity may put children at risk for heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. Keep kids safe when the temperatures soar and recognize the signs of heat exhaustion.

What is heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion occurs after a child has been playing or exercising in the heat and as a result becomes dehydrated through the loss of excessive fluids and salt from sweating. Heat exhaustion, if not addressed early on, can lead to a medical emergency known as heat stroke.

What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?

Signs of heat exhaustion to look out for in your child include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Flushed, moist skin

If you are concerned your child is developing heat exhaustion, bring them to a cool environment such as an air-conditioned vehicle or building. Provide your child with a cold beverage that contains electrolytes (such as a sports drink). If you have a cold wet towel, apply the towel to his or her skin. 

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can impact the brain.

In addition to the signs described above, signs of heat stroke include high fevers, confusion, and/or loss of consciousness. 

If you think you may have heat stroke, call 911 right away. 

Tips to prevent heat-related illnesses

Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is critical to prevent heat exhaustion. Encourage your children to drink water before any outdoor activities and schedule frequent water breaks to avoid dehydration.

Dress in lightweight clothes

Try to choose loose-fitting, breathable fabrics to wear. Ideally, the clothing will allow for ventilation and coverage to minimize sun exposure. Lighter colored fabrics tend to absorb less heat than darker colors, so choose light-colored clothes to keep your child cool. 

Implement rest breaks

Have your children play in the shade to protect them from the sun and heat.  It can be common for children to feel tired or irritable after playing outdoors in the heat. In times of high heat, plan for additional rest time. Have your child come inside regularly to relax and cool off.

Supervise water sports

Water sports can be a cool way to play outside in hot weather. Whether swimming in a pool or playing on land, it’s critical to supervise activities to prevent drowning and monitor for signs of heat exhaustion. Drowning is often silent and fast. Caregivers must carefully watch while a child is in the water and be within arm’s reach of young children at all times. 

Never leave children in the car alone.

Vehicles can heat up very quickly; on an 80 °Fday, a vehicle can reach an internal temperature of 90 °F in as little as 10 minutes. Therefore, never leave your baby, toddler or child in the car alone, even if the windows are opened. The car should remain locked when unsupervised to prevent kids from getting into it while it is unattended.

Use sun protection

Shield your child’s skin from the sun by applying sunscreen with a SPF (sun protective factor) of at least 15 (up to SPF 50). Sunscreen helps protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Apply sunscreen to all sun-exposed areas before being in the heat. Remember to reapply every two hours or after excessive sweating or swimming. In addition, encourage your child to wear a hat or sunglasses for additional sun protection.

Athletes! Heed these tips to prevent heat-related illnesses.

In addition to the safety tips mentioned above, athletes should also consider the following precautions.

1. Athletes should consume 4 to 8 ounces of fluids every 15 minutes while engaging in physical activity.
2. Athletes should undergo pre- and post-activity weigh-ins. It’s crucial for athletes to replenish any weight lost during exercise before the next session.
3. Recognize athletes categorized as “high risk” for heat-related illness, including those with obesity, lacking acclimatization to the climate, experiencing ongoing illness, taking specific medications, or with a history of heat-related illnesses.

Call your child’s pediatrician for guidance if you are worried about your child after being outside in the heat. For more information about outdoor safety, visit healthychildren.org or contact the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, a program supported by The Children’s Trust, at 305-243-9080.

Written by Kyra Lipman, M.D. candidate, with Julie Belkowitz, M.D., M.P.H., Hector Chavez, M.D., Lyse Deus, M.Ed., and Oneith Cadiz, M.D.

Tags: Dr. Julie Belkowitz, Dr. Oneith Cadiz, heat related illness, kid safety