HEAT Wave Safety

10 heat wave safety tips to keep children safe

1. Never leave children unsupervised in parked cars.
   Even in less threatening temperatures, vehicles can rapidly heat up to dangerous temperatures. A child left inside a car is at risk for severe heat-related illness or death, even if the windows are cracked open.
   
   
2. Stay informed. 
   Listen to local news and weather channels for health, safety and weather-related updates, including heat warnings, watches and advisories. Follow the guidance from local officials.
   
   
3. Seek shelter in cool places.
   Staying cool in an air-conditioned space can help you stay cooler. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused many cooling centers and public spaces (e.g., shopping malls, public libraries) to put restrictions in place, it can be difficult to find a safe, public space with air conditioning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has offered guidance to reduce the risk of introducing and transmitting coronavirus in cooling centers.
   
   
4. Wear light clothing, heavy sunscreen.
   Choose lightweight, light-colored, and breathable fabrics (such as cotton), as well as broad-spectrum sunscreen (with protection from both UVA and UVB sun rays) to protect you and your child from the heat and potential sun-related skin damage. Hats and umbrellas can be used to limit exposure to harmful rays.
   
   
5. Drink lots of fluids.
   Remember to drink plenty of liquids, regardless of your activity level. Check your baby’s diaper for concentrated (dark in color) urine, which can indicate dehydration. Fluids should be drunk before, during and after being exposed to extreme heat. Also avoid hot meals as they may increase body heat.
   
   
6. Know how to identify heat-related illnesses.
   Learn symptoms and signs of heat-related illnesses/conditions such as heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps, and severe sunburn. If children show these symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately. Refer to the CDC website for a complete list of health conditions caused by extreme heat exposure, and how to remedy them.
   
   
7. Get lots of rest.
   Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Make sure that children get lots of rest when they are active.
   
   
8. Keep children entertained.
   Children may become anxious or restless from being kept indoors. Plan ahead for indoor activities and games and limit the screen-time on TVs, phones and tablets.
   
   
9. Reassure children.
   Children may be afraid or stressed by effects of the heat, such as seeing dead animals. Remember that children take their cues from their parents and caregivers, so try to keep calm and answer their questions openly and honestly.
   
   
10. Learn your caregivers’ disaster plans.
    If your child’s school or childcare center is in an area that may experience extreme heat, find out what their plans are in the event of a heatwave.