The summer is certainly the hottest time of the year. Most people don’t want their children sitting inside all summer, but they need to be aware of the safety tips that can keep their children safe while exercising during the hottest months.
Emergency room doctors like Dr. Josyann Abisaab treat children each summer for heat stroke and dehydration. Fortunately, these situations can easily be avoided with a bit of preparation and knowledge.
If there is a high heat or humidity warning in your area, children should only participate in intense physical activities for 15 minutes or less. Before they participate in prolonged physical activities, children need to be well-hydrated.
During the first hour of exercise, children should be given plenty of water to drink and they should continue drinking either water or a sports drink every 20 minutes for as long as they are exercising.
During strenuous activities in the heat, children should have on light-colored and lightweight clothing and should only be wearing one layer.
If children start to feel lightheaded, too hot, or fatigued, they should get to a cooler, shaded environment and should drink plenty of water or carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages.
These tips will help to reduce the number of visits to the E.R. where physicians like Josyann Abisaab treat heat-induced illnesses each summer.
