When sweltering temperatures or a heat wave arrives, the Indiana Department of Child Services wants parents and caretakers to be alert about the dangers extreme heat can pose for children. “To many children, being able to play outside makes summer the best season of all,” said Erin Shidler, director of the Kosciusko County DCS office, in a release from the agency. “But to help keep children safe so they can enjoy the summer weather, parents must be steadfast about the two most important safeguards against heat-related illnesses, staying cool and staying hydrated.” Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports in recent years that more people died in this country from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined, according to the release. Infants, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable. “Since children rely on their adult caretakers to make sure they are in safe environments and often aren’t able to communicate when they are too hot, it is very important to look after them during these warm summer months,” Dr. Jennifer Walthall, division chief for emergency medicine at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in Indianapolis, is quoted as saying. “This includes outdoor play, time in cars and even regulating the environment indoors.” People suffer heat-related illness when their body is unable to compensate and properly cool itself. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but under some conditions – like extreme heat and high humidity – sweating just isn’t enough. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as fast, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. In such cases a person’s body temperature can rise rapidly and very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other organs. Infants and young children are even more susceptible to heat-related trouble, since their cooling mechanisms have not fully matured, said Dr. Walthall. The CDC says air conditioning is the number one protective measure against heat-related illness. Shopping malls and other public facilities can be good places to spend time on high-heat days for families without air conditioning. In addition, many cities offer heat-relief shelters during extreme heat days. Local health departments will know their locations. The CDC also recommends parents take these preventative steps for avoiding heat-related illnesses in children: • Fluids – Provide plenty of fluids, preferably water, throughout the day. • Outdoor time – Limit outdoor exposure, particularly during midday and in areas with concrete or asphalt surfaces. • Shade – Remain in shaded areas when outdoors. • Clothing – Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing, use sunscreen and shade their heads and faces with hats and umbrellas. • Food – Avoid hot foods and heavy meals, since they add heat to your body. It is especially important to remember children should never be left in a parked car even for a few minutes. Even when the windows are open an inch or two, temperatures inside the car can rise by almost 20 degrees within as little as 10 minutes. Parents should also watch for the signs of possible heat stroke or exhaustion, including body temperature above 103 degrees; red, hot, dry skin with no sweating; rapid, strong pulse; complaints about headache; dizziness or confusion; and nausea or vomiting. If your child displays any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency, the release states. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the child. Get the child to a shady area and immerse them in a tub of cool water, place in a cool shower or sponge with cool water. Do not give fluids to drink.
