Summer temperatures in Kansas City can pose a health risk. Vulnerable people, including disabled children, are significantly affected by periods of hot weather and have unique challenges. Many solutions are winsome, no matter one’s age or situation.
Avoid Dehydration
Keeping children hydrated during warm weather is critical. In fact, dehydration can cause significant health problems and in extreme cases even death. All children—especially those with special needs—are at risk because they simply may not recognize they are overheating or communicate to you that they are feeling unwell. Make sure each child drinks at least every 20 minutes; water or well-diluted fruit juice is best. Drinks at a moderate temperature are better than those that are ice cold. Avoid beverages with caffeine. If you are struggling to get your child to drink regularly, add some enticement by making some homemade frozen pops.
Limit strenuous activities to the cooler parts of the day. Avoid heavy foods and include plenty of fruit and salad in your child’s diet (as you are able). Always take plenty of drinks with you when you are out and about. Watch out for signs of dehydration: for muscle cramps in the arms, legs or stomach, mild confusion, weakness or sleep problems.
Sun Safety
Keep children out of the sun as much as possible, especially when it is at its highest, between 11:00 and 3:00. Babies under the age of 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight altogether as their skin contains too little melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their color and provides protection from the sun. If your child is in a stroller, buggy or wheelchair, keep him shaded. Dress your child in loose-fitting clothing so sweat can evaporate. Fabrics make a big difference too: Natural or sport fabrics will prove helpful in keeping cool. Make sure your child wears a sun hat with a wide brim or long flap at the back to shield the head and neck. And protect your child’s eyes with sunglasses.
Sunscreen needs to be a habit. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum of SPF 30 for children of all skin tones. Choose one with UVA and UVB protection and, if your kids will be playing in the pool or sprinkler or working up a sweat, a water resistant one. Apply the sun cream regularly and always reapply after toweling down your child.
Keeping Cool
Many prescription medicines can reduce a person’s heat tolerance. Stock up as best you can on supplies like medicine, food and beverages, so you don’t have to go out in the heat for something urgent. Keep your home cool, shutting windows when it is hotter outside than it is inside. Close blinds and curtains in rooms that get direct sun. Turn off nonessential lights and electric equipment, as they generate heat. Consider placing a cool cloth on your child’s neck or sprinkle cool water over the face, hands and feet. Plan a cool bath before bedtime. Keep nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of your child’s room—a room temperature between 61 F and 68 F is ideal. Electric fans may provide some relief if temperatures are below 95 F. At temperatures above 95 F, fans may not prevent heat related illness and may cause dehydration. Do not aim the fan directly on the body. Remember to keep an eye on the weather forecast so you can plan ahead!
Here Are 10 Fun Ways to Stay Cool This Summer from FriendshipCircle.org:
We’re feeling hot, hot, hot! Summertime is in full swing, and keeping cool is a must. Here are 10 sensory friendly ways you can spend time with your child while keeping cool this summer:
1. Water Balloon Toss Poke some holes in a water balloon so that the water slowly sprays out and there is no fear of having to cover ears at the pop of a balloon! Toss the balloons back and forth with a friend or get a group together to pass the balloons around a circle.
2. Indoor Picnic If you need an escape from the heat or the bugs outside, create an indoor picnic complete with blankets, pillows and some fun snacks. For added sensory stimulation and authenticity, hang streamers from the ceiling to pretend like the picnic is under a willow tree.
3. Toys ‘n’ Suds Gather small plastic toys like cars, trains and blocks to give them a good scrub outside with soap and water. The soapy water could be repurposed for slip ‘n’ slide fun too!
4. Calming Cooldown Close the windows and blinds and turn down the air conditioning. Set up a fort in the living room and enjoy the refreshing “breeze” inside, away from the noise and distractions of the outdoors. Stick some glow-in-the-dark stars onto your ceiling, turn off the lights, lie back and enjoy a starry sky anytime day or night. This cooldown activity can stimulate calm for the whole family.
5. Water PaintingGet out the paintbrushes and cups of water to paint your hot sidewalks and driveways with nothing but water! Use the paintbrushes to cool down with a stroke of water down arms and legs for extra sensory fun.
6. Ice Cube Melting Give kids ice cubes and see how long they can hold one in their hands while it melts. Instead of in hands, place ice cubes in the crook of an arm or behind knees for another option. As the ice melts, it will cool off arms and legs. Freeze little prizes inside the ice cubes for a reward after the ice cube has melted.
7. Summer Sun Ice Cream Yes! Make ice cream outside during the summer. Check out Tasty Treats (pg.??) for shake-and-make ice cream. If ice cream isn’t your style, put juice boxes in the freezer for a slushy treat. Shaken or squeezed, the creation will provide fun tactile input followed by a treat!
8. Sprinklers Swimsuits on and goggles and water shoes, too, for a cooling run around the sprinklers. A plethora of sprinklers exist—from crazy sprayers to gentle misters. Find the one you enjoy.
9. Ice Necklaces Ice necklaces and bracelets and anklets, oh my! Check out the ingenious craft on pg.?? for a neat way to stay cool. Melting jewelry on pulse points like the neck, wrists or ankles helps bring body temperature down and provide heat relief. Wearing the “cool-elry” on top of socks and shirts is OK too!
10. Backyard Fun When the sun sets and the day has cooled down, set up a reading area outside: blankets, hammock, porch swing. Stare at the stars with your little one, reading stories by the moonlight or a flashlight too.
Article courtesy of VarietyKC.org