How to Protect Your Children in the Heat
By Sara Butler
Every child looks forward to summer. There’s no school and the sun is shining almost every day. It’s a dream come true for many children – but not for their parents. Many parents worry about keeping their children safe in the heat of summer. To be honest, that’s something all parents should worry about because little bodies are impacted by the heat differently than adults. Here are a few easy ways to help your kids stay safe and beat the heat this summer so you can enjoy your summer together.
Why Parents Need to be Concerned
Children, especially those under 4, are very susceptible to high temperatures due to not being able to sweat as efficiently as adults and that they don’t drink enough water. Children easily lose track of time when they’re playing, making them unaware of how long they’ve been outside in the heat and when they last drank water.
Have Them Drink Water
Many kids don’t get enough water throughout the day, so you have to remind them to drink more of it in the summer! Have them drink a glass before they go outside to play or practice sports. Also make sure they stop what they’re doing periodically to drink, even if they’re not thirsty. As a rule of thumb, school age kids should drink about 15 ounces of water in the hours leading up to outdoor activity such as sports. If they’re just going outside to play, have them drink at least five ounces.
Choose the Right Drink
A lot of kids think water is boring, so they may be resistant to drinking it. Just keep in mind that sports drinks are often high in sugar, but if that’s how you can get your child to drink more liquids in a day, then that may be what you have to settle for. If you don’t want to pander too much to their taste buds, then you can add a splash of fruit juice to water in order to encourage them to drink more. Just make sure to avoid drinks with caffeine such as cola or iced tea, since it can cause them to become more dehydrated.
Dress Lightly
You should dress your child in a loose fitting and a light colored single layer of clothing. You can get fancy with hi-tech fabrics that draw sweat away from the body if your child participates in a lot of sports, too. Just make sure they’re cool (temperature-wise) in whatever it is they are wearing.
Follow these tips to keep your children safe in the dog days of summer ahead!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.