Dirty feet, salty hair and the smell of sunscreen on a sleeping child, these are the tell tale signs of summer. We relish the days of disrupted schedules and long hours spent outside in the sun.
It is easy as a parent, on these beautiful long days, to forget that our kids don’t manage heat as well as adults. Tired kids are good kids but can also be hot kids. Little bodies aren’t able to dissipate heat as effectively and that means long camp days or a rambunctious play date can put children at risk for heat and sun overexposure.
To protect your kids from overdoing it this summer, consider these three tips for safety in the warm weather.
Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
Kids should always leave the house with a full water bottle and be able to refill their water independently. Consider hydrating snacks like fruit, frozen fruit pops and veggies.
Expert Tip: Unsure if your child is properly hydrated? Check the toilet. With the exception of first thing in the morning, urine should be a light straw colour to clear and bowel movements should be solid but without fissures and cracks.
Be sun safe.
Use sunscreen that is UV appropriate, free of parabens and chemicals. Get your kids in the habit of always wearing a hat and seeking out shade. Kids should wear sunglasses and breathable clothing. For a list of the best sunscreens, visit the 2023 EWG Guide to Sunscreens.
Expert Tip: Sunscreen sticks like those made by Green Beaver and Substance are easy for kids to apply and fit easily in a pocket or backpack.
Limit exertion in heat.
Kids don’t sweat the same way adults do. On day of extreme heat, reserve physical activity for indoor spaces. If you have to be outside, seek out shade, limit intensity and rest often.
Expert tip: Know the signs of sun stroke. A fever while feeling cold, confusion, dry skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, rapid breathing and fatigue are symptoms of heat stroke and require emergency medical treatment.
Keeping these tips in mind, we wish you and your family an amazing summer full of fun, relaxation and new adventures.
+Melanie Stevens Sutherland, Clinic Director & Senior Orthopaedic and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Melanie is a graduate of McMaster University and brings 20+ years of experience as a senior physiotherapist to Body Co. She has enjoyed a long tenure working with active populations at prestigious sport medicine clinics. Past clients include Provincial, National and Olympic level athletes as well as members of the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, the Ontario Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the National Lacrosse League and Major League Soccer.
Following the birth of her own children, Melanie developed a strong interest in women’s health. She has taken specialized courses in pelvic floor physiotherapy and women’s nutrition. She is passionate about helping women find strength and confidence in their post-natal bodies following pregnancy and delivery.
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