With Perth and WA’s south-west in the grip of several days of extreme heat, The Kids Research Institute Australia experts share their top tips on keeping your children safe in the hot weather.
Co-Director of The ORIGINS Project, Professor Desiree Silva, says children are more vulnerable in the hot weather and need to take extra care of their health to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heat stress and heat stroke.
“Babies and young children are very sensitive to high temperatures and can get heat stress quickly. They may not show the early signs and symptoms that occur in adults, they may just look unwell or be more irritable than usual,” Professor Silva says.
“It is very important to watch babies and young children closely to keep them from getting dehydrated or overheated.
“Babies may also seem floppy, irritable, have drier skin, refuse to drink, have fewer wet nappies than usual, or have a lower, sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on the top of their head.”
Professor Silva says there are some simple steps parents can take to keep bubs happy and healthy this summer.
“When it comes to feeding during hot weather, breastfed babies, including expressed breastmilk-fed, may need extra breastmilk feeds. Formula-fed babies may need small amounts of cool, boiled water in between feeds. This also applies to older babies, especially if the baby is having other foods.
“In terms of sleeping arrangements, choose the coolest place in the house. Make sure the air can circulate around the bassinette or cot and remove any liners or padding. If you use a fan, do not point it towards your baby but use it to circulate air around the room. If you use an air conditioner, make sure the room does not get too cold – about 24 °C to 26 °C is low enough.
“Whilst travelling in the car, it’s important to remember the car can heat up to a dangerous temperature very quickly – so you should not leave your baby or child alone or cover a capsule in a car with a rug or towel to shade your baby from the sun. Instead, consider using a window shield to protect your baby from the sun. Although it is tempting to leave babies asleep in their capsule, this is dangerous for your baby and not recommended.”
Older children should limit their outdoor activities on extremely hot days by finding things to do inside, like indoor play-centres, indoor pools, movies or play at home. Parents should make sure their child drinks plenty of water throughout the day and that they are urinating regularly.
Professor Silva said pregnant women should also take extra precautions in extreme heat and be aware of the symptoms of overheating: warm skin, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps and nausea.
“Pregnant women who feel they are overheating can move to a cooler place, sip water, loosen clothing, apply wet cloths to the skin, and sit in cool bathtub water,” she said.
“Those who experience vomiting or worsening symptoms that last longer than one hour should seek immediate medical treatment.”
What about children with diabetes?
Co-Head of the Diabetes Centre at The Kids, Professor Liz Davis, says people with diabetes may get dehydrated more quickly.
“Not drinking enough water can raise blood sugar, and high blood sugar can make you go to the bathroom more frequently, causing dehydration. Some commonly used medicines can dehydrate you too. High temperatures can also change how the body uses insulin,” Professor Davis explains.
With kids out of school, vacations, and holiday season get-togethers, the summer months can throw people with diabetes out of their usual routine, making it harder for them to stick to their management plan.
However, Professor Davis explains that summertime also has some great benefits for those with diabetes.
“Summer is a great opportunity to get outdoors. Being outside and active is good for glucose control and makes you feel better,” she says.
“Summer is also a fabulous time for delicious fruits and vegetables – and healthy eating helps with diabetes control.”
Here’s Professor Davis’s checklist for managing diabetes this summer:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Check your blood sugar more often when your routine changes.
- Keep medicines, supplies, and equipment out of the heat.
- Stay active.
- Fill your plate with a variety of summer fruits and vegetables every day.
- Avoid sugary drinks. Drink water instead.