As heatwaves grow more frequent and severe, here's what parents need to know to keep infants and young children safe in the heat.
Toddlers and young children need outdoor activity to build strong bodies and minds, but they also require extra care in the heat.
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In the summer months, this balance can make parents anxious. How long should children be out? How do I know they're doing fine? What should I avoid?
Since the beginning of the summer, Europe has experienced record-breaking temperatures across the region that have caused over 10,000 excess deaths. Human-caused climate change is making heatwaves longer, stronger and more widespread.
That shift makes questions about keeping babies safe more pressing, said Katherine Williamson, a pediatrician with Rady Children's Health in California.
“We talk about drowning and choking with toddlers, and now we’re starting to add in heat,” she said. “It’s become something that’s more commonplace as a potential injury.”
Globally, more than 1.5 billion children face frequent and severe heatwaves, according to a recent UNICEF analysis. The UN agency also found that rising heat across Europe and Central Asia kills nearly 400 children a year.
Children are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses; here are some do's and don’ts to keep them safe:
Regulating body temperature is a challenge
Compared with adults, children are more vulnerable to both the short- and long-term effects of heat stress. They sweat less per kilogram of body weight and have a higher metabolic rate, causing them to warm up more quickly in extreme temperatures.
On hot days, parents need to be vigilant for signs of heat illness. A lack of tears when crying or regular wet nappies could indicate a baby is dehydrated. Offering smaller feeds more frequently can help ensure they get enough fluids.
Though not necessarily signs of illness, fatigue and flushed skin likely mean your child needs a break to cool off. Increased irritability could also indicate that they are too hot, added Williamson.
Tips for keeping them safe
Avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day, dress children in loose, light-coloured clothing, apply sunscreen and make sure they are getting enough fluids. Water-rich fruits such as watermelon and strawberries are great snacks in the heat.
“If you’re hot, your baby sure is going to be hot,” said Debra Langlois, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
Langlois said parents and other carers should limit the amount of time infants and toddlers are outside in hot weather, but she doesn’t advise remaining strictly indoors at any point.
Don't put blankets or other covers on a pushchair
That advice seems counterintuitive. After all, doesn't it make sense to shield children from the sun?
However, blankets and other coverings, even thin ones, prevent air from circulating and trap heat that can raise the temperature in the stroller.
Instead, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using a wet, thin cloth and re-wetting it as necessary to bring the temperature down, combined with a portable fan for extra cooling.
Keep children out of hot cars
Two children recently died in a car during a heatwave in southern France.
The WHO warns of never leave children in parked vehicles for any amount of time, as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high even in the shade and with open windows.
To cool a hot car, experts recommend opening the windows for 10 to 20 seconds while running the air conditioning.
