It is hard to believe that just a few days ago it was raining on the Fourth of July as fireworks went off. To my surprise, I got called in to work on the Fourth at the Group Health Urgent Care. I am happy to report that I did not see any firework related injuries on that day.
With the hot weather, many of us will head to the outdoors to play in the sun but it is important to take some precautions. Smaller children can be much less tolerant of the heat than us grown ups due to the greater body surface area in proportion to their weight. They also may not drink enough liquids to keep up. This can lead to heat stroke or dehydration, so it is important to pay attention.
Some tips:
1. Drink liquids frequently throughout the day and especially during periods of exercise in the heat. They should be drinking liquids before, during and after an activity even if they are not thirsty.
2. Allow time for acclimation to the heat. If your child is not use to exercising, starting now in this heat is not the best idea.
3. Take advantage of shade or other opportunities to cool off.
4. Watch for signs of dehydration or overheating. The signs can include irritability, fatigue, being flush, or nausea and vomiting just to name a few.
5. Use sunscreen along with protective clothing like hats. Apply the sunscreen frequently. Most people do not apply enough so be generous with it.
Have fun and be safe
Being a redhead all my life, I have never done very well in the heat.
After raising 3 daughters in Seattle for 30 years I learned a few tricks for
myself and my girls. We rarely lived in a home with airconditioning, since Seattle is not known for very many hot days. However even 1 scorcher will teach
you a lot in the means of preventing heat stroke.
We lived in apartments that usually had a pool. So after swimmming “before” the intense heat of the day, I would let them keep their wet bathing suits on while playing around the house. When their suit became dry I let them get in the bathtub and get wet again, especially their hair.
I just dryed them off a little so they didnt drip and this kept them pretty cool even though the apt. would be getting warm.
Now as a woman in her 50’s I do the same for myself. I put on my suit and get in the shower and get all wet and then just dry off enough so that Im not dripping . Then I just sit on a towel or do my chores around the house. Then I can keep the suit on and put on a pair of shorts over and I can run the errends I need to outside. Meanwhile this keeps my “core” cooled off constantly.
I also keep my head “wet” and then in a pony tail. These two areas are critical and keeping your hair wet also cools off your whole body and prevents the “red cheeks” that come so quickly as a warning.
I feel strongly that the older people could use these tricks to keep cool all
day in a not so cool apartment.
Sincerely, C.Barbour
Christine, as a fair-skin fellow reddish hair gal I love your advice! I have two little girls and yesterday I just let them play in the kiddie pool and run around all evening in their swim suits.