High temps and extreme heat can make kids sick very quickly
Q: My kids like being outside, even when it’s really hot. Is it safe for them?
A: When weather conditions do not pose a health risk, children can and should spend time outside. Playing outdoors can boost a child’s physical and mental health in many ways.
But a heat index at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as identified by the National Weather Service, poses a significant health risk.
High temperatures and extreme heat can cause children to become sick very quickly in several ways. It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. High heat can also contribute to irritability for children and their caregivers. And with extreme heat increasing in areas of the United States due to climate change, “eco-anxiety” can cause emotional distress as well.
To protect your child from the heat as much as possible, watch for symptoms, and call your pediatrician if you see any develop.
When it’s very hot and/ or humid, going to the swimming pool or beach for a short time or staying inside and working on crafts or reading or playing board games makes the most sense. Plan ahead if you know there will be many consecutive days of high temperatures, so that you can expect the need to be creative and help children rotate and vary their activities (to avoid “cabin fever” or restless/irritable feelings). Find ways for kids to stay active by suggesting some easy yoga stretches or playing indoor hide and seek or making up fun physical challenges that aren’t too strenuous.
If your home does not have air conditioning, find a nearby building that does. Libraries and shopping malls can be great places for a cool retreat from the heat. If you live in a place where there are frequent power outages or your air conditioning is unreliable, identify a safe place for your family to go when temperatures are very high. Many towns and cities have cooling centers in gyms, community centers and other large buildings for those who need relief from the heat.
While at home, close your window blinds and curtains. Lower floors tend to be cooler because heat rises. Fans may be helpful in cooling down if you have no access to air conditioning. If you do use a fan, keep it at a safe distance from you and your children to avoid safety hazards (pinched fingers or fans connecting with water).
Fans should never be used in extreme heat (high 90s or above) because they do not cool the air, and using fans when temperatures are higher than body temperature may cause the body to gain instead of lose heat.
If you are going to be outside when it’s warm, there are several steps you can take to beat the heat and protect your child from heat-related illness and hazards:
Stay hydrated
Dress lightly
Plan for extra rest time Give your child a cool bath or water mist
Never leave your child in a car
Call your pediatrician immediately if your child develops any of the following symptoms:
Feeling faint
Extreme tiredness (unusually sleepy, drowsy or hard to arouse) Headache
Fever
Intense thirst
Not urinating for many hours
Nausea
Vomiting
Breathing faster or deeper than normal
Skin numbness or tingling
Muscle aches
Muscle spasms
Don’t hesitate to contact your child’s pediatrician for other guidance on how to protect them in extreme heat.
Dr. Dele Davies is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children and Disasters Executive Committee. For more information, go to HealthyChildren.org, the website for parents from the AAP.