HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM SOARING TEMPERATURES

El Niño is here and for many that means soaring temperatures. As Summer enters its hottest days, it is crucial that we pay close attention to the heat and our reaction to it, especially where infants and children are concerned.

The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh reminds us to follow this protocol with children on hotter days:

1. Be sure that your little ones drink plenty of water throughout the day… even before they become thirsty

2. Maintain good supervision, especially during playtime, and be alert for signs of heat distress

3. Consider limiting time outdoors during the hottest part of the day

4. Playing in shady areas is always helpful

5. Have your children wear loose fitting clothing that breathes

Heat exhaustion may occur if activities continue on hotter days. If symptoms of heat exhaustion occur, stop the activity and have them drink plenty of water.

Become familiar with symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 

Shows a young girl on her back sleeping in a red Radio Flyer wagon

SIGNS OF HEAT STROKE

  • Headache, irritability, light-headedness, excessive fatigue or inability to play at a normal level
  • Heat related muscle cramps
  • Persistent muscle contractions during and after activity

Take immediate steps to cool the child down if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Trouble playing or inability to keep playing
  • Lightheadedness, fainting, or loss of consciousness
  • Heavy sweating
  • Pale skin
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Persistent cramping

If the child does not recover quickly, seek medical attention.

Call 9-1-1 if things worsen, such as seizures, irrational behavior, increase in body core temperature, or rapid breathing.  While waiting for help, continue cooling measures.

RISING TEMPERATURES CAN CAUSE HEAT STROKE

Overheating of the body can occur in the hot months of summer, especially in these times when temperatures across the globe are rising.

Heat Stroke is a life threatening condition that can occur when the body is unable to adjust to high temperatures, causing our internal temperature to rise…quickly.

We’ve all heard the horror stories of little ones left inside a hot vehicle while an adult runs an errand. It’s a painful reminder of how a quick negligent decision can put babies and children at risk of death.

What some people may not realize, however, is that exposure to very high outdoor temperatures can be dangerous as well.

For most adults, our body’s temperature control system can handle the high temperatures but in higher risk individuals the body loses its ability to cool down.

Heat-related illness is greatest for little ones 0-4 years of age and for those who are over 65. Also at risk are individuals who are overweight, ill, or on certain medications. Everyone in these categories need to be very careful to avoid a heat-related event as events can occur within 10-15 minutes of continuous exposure.

Warning Signs

The signs can vary but can include the following:

  • Body temperature rising to greater than 103 F.

  • Skin turns very red and there is often little or no sweating

  • The persons pulse is rapid and bounding

  • Dizziness

  • Throbbing headache

  • Nausea

  • Confusion
  • Unconsciousness
  • Death

Cooling the body down as quickly as possible is crucial and could mean the difference between life and death.

Immediate steps to take:

  • Get the person into a shady area if at all possible
  • Give them cool (nonalcoholic) fluids

  • Put them in a cool shower

  • Find an air conditioned room for them

  • Remove excess clothing as appropriate

 

HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF HEAT STROKE

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate…

During hot weather it’s important to remember to increase your fluid intake and reduce activity levels. This is of even greater importance for those who work outdoors.

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CHILDREN, AUTOMOBILES AND HEAT STROKE

A recently published article in the journal Pediatrics reminds us all that heat stress from enclosed vehicles can cause significant temperature rise and put infants & children at risk for hyperthermia.

The effects of high internal automobile temperatures takes young lives every year in the U.S. In 2016, the number of deaths from heat stroke rose in the pediatric population to 39. Previous averages per year have been running at 29 deaths per year.

Temperatures in enclosed automobiles can range from 134 to 154 degrees, and do so in a hurry. On average, temperatures tend to increase 3.2 degrees per minute and this is barely affected by having the window open a crack. These results are based on ambient temperatures outside of only 86 degrees. Southern California can easily exceed those numbers, and often does.

This is just a reminder to parents and care providers that small passengers are subject to heat stroke at a greater rate than adults, due to low body mass. It is imperative that we pay close attention to this issue and remind all others that might transport your infants and children in automobiles that passenger safety during the warmer months is everyone’s job.