Home > Kids > Childhood Safety > Outdoor Safety > Keeping it Cool: Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses in Kids
|

Keeping it Cool: Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses in Kids

by Lindsay Hutton

In This Article:

Heat cramps

With summertime right on the doorstep, most kids are looking forward to sunshine and outdoor activities. And while many parents are well-versed on the importance of sunscreen and skin protection, another warm weather danger is often overlooked -- heat-related illnesses. Children and the elderly are most susceptible to these illnesses, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 300 people die annually from excessive heat exposure in the United States.

The three types of heat-related illnesses are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Heat cramps are the least serious of the three, and consist of muscle pains or spasms in the arms, legs, or abdomen that usually occur during strenuous activity. The CDC believes they are most likely caused by low salt levels in the muscles due to excessive sweating, but can also be a sign of heat exhaustion.

Heat cramps do not always require medical attention. The CDC offers the following tips to treat your child if he is suffering from heat cramps:

  • Stop all activity and sit in a cool place.
  • Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.
  • Gently stretch or massage the affected area.
  • Do not return to any strenuous activity for a few hours, even after the cramps subside. Doing this can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
  • Seek medical attention if the cramps do not subside in one hour or if the victim has heart problems or is on a low-sodium diet.


|

you might also like:

from our community:


what’s hot

  1. Top 10 End-of-the-Year Gifts for Teachers
  2. Great Gift Ideas for Dad's First Father's Day
  3. 10 Gender-Predicting Old Wives' Tales
  4. VIEW ALL

stay connected

Sign up for our free email newsletters and receive the latest advice and information on all things parenting.

Enter your email address to sign up or manage your account.

Facebook icon Twitter icon Follow Us on Pinterest

editor’s picks

highlights

10 Ways to Deal with Temper Tantrums
Temper tantrums are an inevitable part of being parent. Read on for 10 sanity-saving tantrum tips to help calm your child when he's in the throes of emotional turmoil.

8 Printable Thank-You Cards for Your Child's Teacher
Teaching is no walk in the park! Print any of these free printable thank-you cards for teachers to salute your favorite educators for all the hard work this school year.

Explore Funbrain Jr. with Your Preschooler
Looking for fun online games, adorable stories, and cool printables for preschoolers and kindergartners? Check out the new Funbrain Jr., a fun place to learn for children ages 2 to 6.

Award-Winning Apps for Kids of All Ages
Looking for high quality apps for your toddler, preschooler, or school-age child? These 16 award-winning educational apps help kids of all ages learn a thing or two during tech time.

Summer Learning: 11 Everyday Ways to Learn Math
Summertime is a great time to teach your child how math plays a part in his everyday life. These 11 everyday ways to learn math are fun and educational, and will help him see how this subject plays into real life.