Scorching summer in Maharashtra: Mumbai expert shares handy tips to protect children from the heat

Come summer, Maharashtra has already started reporting heatstroke cases. It is just the start of April and the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning of rising temperatures and heatstroke cases in Raigad, Beed, Ahmednagar, Akola, Amravati, Chandrapur, Satara and Dhule, which have recorded the highest temperatures till now.

This sudden spike in temperatures has also led to a rise in summer-related illnesses. These include heat strokes, heat cramps and exhaustion due to the heat. Taking this into consideration, state authorities have urged citizens to take the necessary and timely health precautions.

Some of the easiest ways to take care of yourself is by staying hydrated, avoiding exposure to the sun as much as possible, protecting your skin by using sunscreen, wearing sun-protection accessories like scarves and sunglasses. It is even more important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms of dizziness, headache or nausea.

While adults are equipped to take care of themselves, parents will have to pay close attention to children, who are mostly exposed to harmful UV rays. They are often exposed to the sun during school hours as they take part in their physical training sessions, swimming classes, while commuting back home or even during their play hours in the vicinity.

Considering that children very active all the time, there is a high chance of them getting exhausted quickly due to the onset of summer heat. This can lead them to fall sick more often than not during the season with common health issues. Some of them include excessive dehydration, heatstroke, gases, acidity, diarrhoea, sunburn and exhaustion. All these issues can make the children feel irritated and uncomfortable and subsequently affects their daily life.

To protect children from the summer heat, Dr Prashant Moralwar, consultant paediatrician, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar shares essential summer care tips for children.

"During the hot summer months, many children struggle to fully enjoy the season due to various health issues that can arise. The relentless heat and humidity can exacerbate existing health issues and make it difficult for kids to stay active and engaged. Moreover, concerns about sunburn, and dehydration, add another layer of worry for parents trying to keep their children safe during the summer," says Moralwar.

He says, "Parents need to be vigilant about managing these health issues so that children can still have fun while staying safe throughout the summer. By being proactive about these summer health safety tips, you can help your child enjoy a safe and fun-filled summer season."

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Important to stay hydrated
Ensure frequent water breaks throughout the day, especially during outdoor play. Aim for at least 10-12 glasses of water daily. Pack plenty of water whenever venturing outdoors and avoid sugary drinks that dehydrate them faster. Besides water, children can also be given fresh fruit juices, coconut water, and other natural fluids. These fluids not only help the children stay hydrated but also help restore the lost electrolytes and energy. When in school, ensure you send more than just a water bottle. You can also pack a bottle of fresh juice.
Parents must be mindful of dehydration symptoms like fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, and dizziness.

Ensure a healthy diet
Maintain a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to provide essential vitamins and minerals. Limit sugary snacks and processed foods that offer little nutritional value and can lead to crashes in energy levels. Pack healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, or yoghurt for on-the-go activities. Prepare healthy and delicious snacks for school lunch to also ensure good care of your children when they aren't under your supervision.

Essentials tips to stay safe from the sun
1. Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to your child's exposed skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors.
2. Ensure you rub it evenly on the skin for complete coverage. Invest in a good quality sunscreen from a trusted brand. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often after swimming or sweating.
3. Choose protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses that protect the eyes from the harsh rays. It will help reduce strain on the children's eyes.
4. Further, make your children wear breathable fabrics. It is advisable to use cotton fabrics as they are breezy and soft on the skin. Further, cotton ensures that the body stays cool even under blazing sun rays. The fabric is known to easily absorb sweat from the body. It is made of fine threads that allow easy passage of air as compared to woollen or silky clothes. This quality of the fabric enables the air to flow through the clothes, which causes the sweat from the body to evaporate easily.

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Maintain proper hygiene
In summer, children tend to sweat more especially because they are physically active. If the sweat accumulates on the skin for a long time, it can cause skin rashes and other infections adding to the irritability. Hence, it is essential to bathe the children daily, if need be, twice. Ensure the water you use is of normal room temperature to avoid catching a cold. Besides bathing, inculcate the habit of washing the face, hands, legs and neck after your children come home from playing outside in the sun. Ask them to splash water on their face to keep the skin cool.

Safe around water
During summer, most parents take their children out for vocational or daily swimming classes. When doing this, never leave your child unattended near water bodies, even for a brief moment. Ensure constant adult supervision during swimming activities, regardless of your child's swimming ability. Teach children basic water safety skills like floating and basic swimming techniques if they are age-appropriate.

By following these summer safety tips, you can create a safe and enjoyable environment for your child to make lasting summer memories.

Disclaimer: This information does not replace professional medical advice. Consult a qualified specialist or your physician for personalised guidance.