During the hot summer months it is important to remember that your child is at risk of heat exhaustion or bad sunburn. It is great for your child to play outside but with global warming it seems we have to be more careful and make sure our tots stay cool and protected. Heat exhaustion can be deadly for your child and sunburn is just as dangerous as it is directly related to skin cancer. Here are a few ways to prevent this from happening to your children. Click here to see what symptoms you should look out for.
The most simple step, keep them out of the sun
This is probably the easiest way to do it. At about 12AM to 2PM the sun is at its highest point. Make sure that you kids are indoors during that time to avid the extreme heat. Keep them occupied with a movie or something more pro-active at that time and then allow them to play outside after 3PM again.
Sunscreen, not Sun-tanning lotion
I can remember as a teenager we used to use baby oil to tan faster, it just shows how stupid we were back then because I usually ended up as red as a tomato and peeling a few days after. Purchase sunscreen and make sure it is higher than SPF40 and a reliable brand. In order to avoid painful sunburn you need to use sun protection that is sufficient. It won’t help to use a low strength lotion.
Dress up but not too much!
Cover all the bits that can burn with light and preferably white clothing. This doesn’t mean you should cover your little ones in too much clothing. Overdressing them will make them get hot too quickly which immediately puts them at risk of heat exhaustion. It is scientifically proven that darker colors attract the sun and would make them feel hotter sooner.
Check the temperature of the playground
If you have a swing set, slide or any other fun play area toys you might want to get hold of an infrared thermometer. These nifty little devices enable you to check the external temperature of surfaces which can include the area where your child loves to play. There are reported cases where children actually got burnt by jungle gyms or swings. With this device you can simply point and click and immediately know if the swing, slide or jungle gym is too hot to play on. It is better to be safe than sorry and accidents happen quickly. Keep them safe by keeping on your toes.
Keep them hydrated
Thirst is the first sign of too much heat exposure. Keep lots of healthy and cold drinks at hand to keep them hydrated and also help to keep them cool. There are some fantastic ideas that include making your own healthy popsicles which will keep the little ones smiling and cool at the same time. Click here for some awesome summer cooling off ideas.