Hot weather can be very dangerous, especially for infants and children. It is important to keep that in mind when the weather is hot. Parents also need these tips for keeping infants and children safe in hot weather when they travel to places that are hotter than they are used to.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some excellent advice about keeping infants and children safe in hot weather. There are some simple things that parents can do protect their kids from the heat.
One of the most important tips from the CDC is this one: never leave kids in a parked car. The temperature inside a parked car (or other types of vehicles) can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes, even with a window cracked open. Even when it feels cool outside, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly.
In other words, it is dangerous to leave your kids in the car while you run into the grocery store to get a few things. Bring your kids with you. Put sleepy infants into a shopping cart if you need to. Your kids will benefit from the air conditioning inside the grocery store. It will help them cool off.
Count heads before you leave the car. There have been times when a parent, or a school bus driver, failed to notice children who had fallen asleep in the vehicle. Take the time to give the car a second look, and to make sure you know, for certain, that all of your kids are out of the car.
Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, clothing when the weather is hot. Loose clothing, in thin fabrics, allow for some body heat to escape. Babies can get away with wearing almost nothing (except for a diaper). That being said, if you are going outside, make sure to coat your kids with sunscreen and make them wear a wide brimmed hat.
Hydration is one of the most important ways to stay safe in hot weather. This is true not only for infants and children, but also for teens and adults. Drink plenty of water. Offer your kids water instead of sugary drinks.
Keep in mind that hot weather makes people sweat more than usual. Parents need to give their family members more water than usual when the weather is hot to make up for the water their lose by sweating.
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