The warm summer months sure are fun, but they can also be dangerous. Heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses are of particular concern in children, who sweat less, create more heat per body mass, and have a harder time overall in regulating their body temperature to adapt to hot weather compared to adults.
One simple way to protect your kids from heat exhaustion or heat stroke is to avoid strenuous outdoor play or sports during the hottest hours of the day. Arrange your schedule so that outdoor fun takes place in the cooler morning hours, or choose indoor activities- like our inflatable indoor playground in the Hudson Valley Mall!
Of course, it’s still a good idea to know the signs of heat exhaustion in your kids. Below are some tips for recognizing heat-related illness, from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
- Heat cramps, muscle cramps in the arms, legs, and/or abdomen, are caused by excessive sweating, which depletes the body of salt and water.
- If your child feels week, tired, or faint, they could be experiencing heat syncope, also due to a depletion of water and salt from the body.
- Cool, pale skin can indicate heat exhaustion, which is often accompanied by headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, chills, rapid pulse, strong thirst, and muscle cramps.
- If your child’s skin is hot and dry, they could be suffering from heat stroke. This serious emergency condition causes incoherent speech, disorientation, nausea, rapid pulse or heart palpitations, and even seizures, loss of consciousness, and coma.
If your child is suffering from heat cramps, heat syncope, or heat exhaustion, get them to a cooler, shadier spot as soon as possible and provide steady intake of water in small sips. If they are displaying signs of heat exhaustion, lower their body temperature by placing them in a cool bath or misting them with cool water. Monitor your child’s condition and if they do not show improvement after a few minutes, you may need to seek medical attention to get IV fluids for your child.
If your child is exhibiting signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately while providing the care outlined above. This can be life-threatening, so acting fast is imperative.
When your kids need to get some energy out, you can always bring them to Fun-E Farm for active play in a safe, indoor environment! Our indoor playground is chock-full of exciting inflatable jumps, slides, and obstacles for kids up to 12 years old. Give us a call today to learn more, or sign up for our email newsletter to stay up to date on our latest deals and announcements!
Photo by Ray Bodden via Flickr (CC by 2.0)
