Help, I’m too hot!!! (Looking after children in the heat)

Children can get hot quickly, especially when they are running around, playing sport or spending a long time outside.

Why are children more at risk in hot weather?

Children are more likely to get heat illness than adults because:

• their bodies are still learning how to control temperature
• young children may not realise they are too hot
• they may forget to drink when they are playing
• they often keep running around even when they need a rest
• babies and young children rely on adults to keep them cool
• children under 4, children with health problems and children taking some medicines may be at higher risk

The most common problems in hot weather are dehydration and sunburn. Dehydration means the body does not have enough water. In babies or children in nappies, dry nappies or dark urine can be a sign they need more fluids.

How to prevent heat illness

The best way to treat heat illness is to stop it happening in the first place.

Drink more

Children should drink cool drinks regularly in hot weather. Water is best. They should drink more if they are running around, playing sport or sweating.

Do not wait until a child says they are thirsty. Younger children may not ask.

Stay in the shade

Try to keep children out of direct sun, especially between 11am and 4pm, when the sun is strongest.

Use shade from trees, umbrellas, shelters or indoor spaces.

Wear the right clothes

Children should wear:

• loose clothes
• light-coloured clothes
• a sun hat, ideally with a wide brim
• comfortable clothes that do not trap heat

Use sun cream

Use high-factor sun cream to protect skin from sunburn. Sunburn can make it harder for the body to cope with heat.

Keep rooms cool

Try to keep indoor rooms cool by:

• closing curtains or blinds when the sun is strong
• opening windows when it is cooler outside
• closing windows if it is hotter outside than inside
• turning off lights and electrical items that are not needed

Avoid too much exercise in the heat

On very hot days, children should avoid hard exercise and very active games in strong sun. Calmer activities are safer when it is very hot.

Signs of dehydration in children

A child may be dehydrated if they have:

• feeling very thirsty
• dizziness or feeling faint
• headache
• tiredness or weakness
• dry mouth or lips
• weeing less than usual
• dark yellow wee
• dry nappies in babies or young children
• being more irritable or not acting like themselves
• fast breathing or a fast heartbeat

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when the body gets too hot and starts to struggle. It is often linked to sweating and not drinking enough.

A child with heat exhaustion may have:

• tiredness or weakness
• dizziness
• headache
• feeling sick or being sick
• heavy sweating
• pale, cool or clammy skin
• a heat rash
• cramps in the arms, legs or tummy
• fast breathing or a fast heartbeat
• a high temperature
• feeling very thirsty
• irritability or acting differently

Heat exhaustion usually improves if the child is cooled down and given fluids. They should start to feel better within about 30 minutes.

What to do for heat exhaustion

If a child may have heat exhaustion:

1. Move them to a cool place.
2. Remove extra clothing, such as a jumper or socks.
3. Give them cool water or a rehydration drink.
4. Cool their skin with cool water, a sponge, spray or fan.
5. Put cold packs wrapped in cloth on the neck or under the arms.
6. Stay with them until they feel better.

Call NHS 111 if you are worried or if symptoms are hard to treat.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is much more serious. It means the body can no longer control its temperature properly. Heatstroke is a medical emergency.

Call 999 if a child:

• is still unwell after 30 minutes of cooling down and drinking fluids
• has a very high temperature
• has hot skin and is not sweating
• has fast breathing or shortness of breath
• has a fast heartbeat
• is confused
• is clumsy or not walking properly
• has a seizure or fit
• collapses or becomes unconscious

What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke?

The most important warning signs of heatstroke are confusion, collapse, seizure, loss of consciousness, or not improving after 30 minutes of cooling.

Do not use paracetamol to treat heat illness

Paracetamol can help with pain or fever from some illnesses, but it does not treat heat illness.

Heat illness is not the same as a fever from an infection. The problem is that the body is too hot and needs to be cooled down. Guidance says not to give medicines such as paracetamol for suspected heat illness unless it is needed for pain relief.

Final things to say!!!

In hot weather: drink more, stay cool, use shade, wear a hat, use sun cream and avoid too much exercise in strong sun.

If a child becomes unwell, act early. Cool them down and give fluids. If they are confused, collapse, have a seizure, or do not improve after 30 minutes, call 999.