Hot Topics! Spotlight on Summer Sun & Safety
Hot Topics! Spotlight on Summer Sun & Safety
An Ounce of Prevention- Heat - To help protect kids from heat illness:
- Teach kids to always drink plenty of fluids before and during an activity in hot, sunny weather — even if they’re not thirsty.
- Make sure kids wear light-colored, loose clothing.
- Make sure your kids only participate in heavy activity outdoors before noon and after 6 PM.
- Teach kids to come indoors immediately whenever they feel overheated.
An Ounce of Prevention- Fluids - It’s important that kids drink often during hot weather. Those who participate in sports or strenuous activities should drink some extra fluid before the activity begins. They should also drink at regular intervals (every 20 to 30 minutes) during the course of the activity and after it ends. Ideally, sports practices and competitions should be scheduled for the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Thirst is not a good early sign of dehydration. By the time a child feels thirsty, he or she may already be dehydrated. And thirst can be quenched before the necessary body fluids have been replaced. That’s why kids should start drinking before thirst develops and consume additional fluids even after thirst is quenched.
For more information please visit KidsHealth.Org for these topics and many more health related concerns.
