L.A. Parent

Kids often don't think to rest when having fun and they may not drink enough fluids when playing, exercising, or taking part in sports. Children and teens also adjust more slowly than adults to changes in the environment and sweat less- which is essential for cooling the body down. Keep an eye out for heat symptoms and follow these preventative measures:

- Don't leave children alone in a car. Even if the windows are cracked open. This is a leading cause of infant death from heat illness in the U.S.

- Drink plenty of fluids during vigorous or outdoor activities (including sunbathing), especially on hot days. Drinks of choice include water and sports drinks. Don't drink fluids with caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and cola. These can lead to dehydration.

- Make sure your child dresses in light colored, lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing on hot days.

- Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day. Take rest periods in shady or cool areas.

- Make sure your child is protected from the sun, wears a hat and sunglasses, and uses an umbrella. Use a sunscreen that is at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15.

- Increase time spent outdoors slowly to get your child's body used to the heat.

- Teach children to take frequent drink breaks and "wet down" or mist themselves with a spray bottle. This can help prevent becoming overheated.

- Student athletes need frequent breaks for water or sports drinks. Most athletes should drink about 1 cup of fluid (200 to 300 milliliters) for every 15 minutes of exercise.

- Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days.

- Teach your child to warm up and cool down before and after exercising.

- If your child has a health condition or is taking medicine, talk with their doctor for more advice for preventing heat-related illnesses.

Advice from Nationwide Children's Hospital

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