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Babies and children are much more susceptible to heat illnesses than adults. Peter Chatman discusses warning signs and provides several suggestions for keeping cool this summer.
‘Heat illnesses’ is the broad term for a range of conditions, from sunburn and heat rash, to heat cramps and life-threatening heatstroke. Children are more susceptible to these conditions than adults due to their bodies being less-readily able to adapt to changes in temperature. Children also have a much lower capacity to perspire, which reduces their ability to expend the heat that builds up in their bodies.
It is critical that parents, and all who care for children, are aware of the increased danger of heat illness in summertime. Perhaps the most devastatingly common sight for emergency care professionals is finding a child locked in a car. Cars heat up at an extraordinarily high rate, becoming furnaces in hot weather. Never, ever, leave children unattended in a locked car.
Monitoring hydration
An easy way to monitor levels of hydration in adults and children is in the colour of urine. A clear to straw colour is normal. If it becomes fairly dark then a person has gone beyond the level of full hydration.
In young children, the symptoms of heat illness can initially appear as a hotflush or dryness. In babies, if their nappy has been dry for three or more hours then it is an indication that they have already become dehydrated.
Dehydration can lead to unusual behaviour and lethargy which is a critical warning sign. If not assisted at this point children can fall unconscious, which is a life-threatening state.
Since young children aren’t aware of how much to drink, adults need to be continually mindful of what and when they are drinking. Plain water at room temperature is always the best choice as ice-cold water—due to its lower temperature—slows down a body’s metabolic ability to hydrate. Tepid water metabolises much faster.
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Temperature tips
If children are running around a good idea is to keep a spray bottle of tap water nearby. A quick spray to the face gives the body respite from heat and encourages it to get its thermo-regulation levels back to normal.
Also, if children are in buildings that don’t have air conditioning, adults need to make sure there is adequate airflow inside. If fans are placed near open windows then this helps to drag air from outside, boosting circulation.
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Of course heat illness is not the only sun-related danger. Instances of skin cancer are alarmingly high in Australia compared to the rest of the world. So it is vital, wherever children play, that there is adequate shade and adults make sure they slip on a shirt, slop on sun cream and slap on a hat.
Peter Chatman
Queensland Ambulance Service Area Manager
North Brisbane
www.emergency.qld.gov.au
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Everyday learning in the backyard contains a wealth of creative ideas that build upon children’s natural desire to explore the outdoors. It is available from Early Childhood Australia for $14.95 (inc. p&h). To order please visit www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/lah0402 or freecall 1800 356 900.
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