Summer Heat Safety

TTUHSC experts offer advice for heat safety awareness

• By Jessica Bagwell
• June 2, 2016

As summer approaches, more people will enjoy time outdoors. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) experts in the School of Health Professions and the Larry Combest Community Health and Wellness Center have advice for safely enjoying time outdoors.

 

“Take measures to keep cool in the summer months and acclimatize your body when you are going to be outside in the heat,” said Larry Munger Ph.D., ATC, assistant professor in the School of Health Professions Master of Athletic Training program.

 

Munger explained that it takes time for your body to get accustomed to the heat. If your kids intend to spend a lot of time outdoors during the summer, it’s important to allow their bodies to slowly get used to the weather by limiting outside activity to shorter amounts of time and avoid being outside in the hottest part of the day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Munger says this process can take seven to 14 days before your body gets acclimated to increased heat.

 

“Keeping hydrated is one of the most important things to remember in the summer months,” Munger added. “So, make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids. Waiting until you re thirsty to start hydrating is too late. When you are thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.”

 

Toby Brooks, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Health Professions Master of Athletic Training program said that the body responds differently in West Texas to the heat.

 

“Here in West Texas, the dry air actually makes the sweating process very efficient,” Brooks said. “However, sweat evaporates so rapidly that it sometimes isn’t even seen, meaning activity in the heat often causes fluid loss without being aware that it is happening.”

 

While the classic “eight glass per day” advice regarding water consumption has recently been disputed, since the volume is a good goal but water from all sources (including that in food) counts toward your daily water consumption, you will likely need to increase your water intake during the summer, especially if you’re active.

 

“Schedule outdoor activities in the morning or evening when possible, apply and reapply sunscreen as directed and wear light, loose-fitting clothing when possible,” Munger said. “Keep your kids hydrated by having them drink liquids regularly throughout the day and offer healthy beverages at every meal and during snacks. Offering more fluids in the morning with breakfast will kick start their day.”

 

Brooks added that water is best, but above all, parents should keep their kids from drinking caffeinated or carbonated beverages in the heat.

 

“Caffeine is a diuretic that will speed fluid loss and avoid carbonation, as it slows absorption,” Brooks said.

 

Munger added that if your kids don’t like water, you can try some hydrating flavored drinks. Munger also said it is important to recognize the symptoms of dehydration. These include:

• Weakness
• Light-headedness
• Dizziness
• Paling of the skin
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat

 

If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms after being exposed to high heat, find a cool place to lower the body temperature quickly.

 

“Taking a cold bath or shower or getting in the swimming pool work best, but shade or air conditioning will help,” Munger said.

 

Another threat that increases in the summertime is that of accidental child death resulting from being trapped in the car.

 

“There are about 38 child deaths per year due to hot cars, which is roughly equivalent to one death every nine days,” said Shane Pruitt, R.N., MSN, Larry Combest Community Health and Wellness Center Nurse Family Partnership nurse.

 

Many parents do not realize that the temperature inside the car rises much more quickly than outside the car, and on a 70-degree day, the temperature may exceed 100 degrees within minutes. Infants, who have not yet developed the ability to regulate body temperature by sweating, suffer significantly in these conditions and can quickly experience heat stroke and even death.

 

“A child’s body is more compact and will heat up three to five times faster than an adults’,” Pruitt said.

 

Pruitt said many parents now know it is unsafe to leave children in the car, but it can be easy to forget, especially during hectic mornings or if parents were up with a crying baby the night before. Pruitt offers these tips to improve safety.

 

Create a reminder

Put your cell phone or purse in the backseat when your child is in the car seat, so that you will have to look back there before you can go to work and about your day.

 

Get help

Ask your child’s daycare to call you if your child isn’t there at the normal time, in case you’ve inadvertently skipped dropping him or her off. The daycare staff probably won’t mind, especially if you’re typically on time, because they surely know the devastating effects of forgetting a child.

 

Stay alert

Since new parents often don’t get enough sleep, exhaustion is a key factor in forgetting their children in a car. Pruitt recommends finding ways to maximize sleep and energy, such as parents taking turns getting up with the baby and taking a step back from extra responsibility like volunteer work—at least until the baby can sleep through the night.

 

Lock your car doors

Children are naturally curious, and once they are able to walk and open doors by themselves, they often unintentionally put themselves in dangerous situations. While parents are asleep or believe their children to be playing in another room, children wander into and trap themselves in cars every year. Pruitt says it’s important to keep doors locked and to create some kind of alarm, like a bell on the front door, to alert you if your child attempts to leave.

 

Finally, Pruitt said everyone should be aware of the dangers of leaving children in the car, and to act immediately if a child is in danger.

 

“If you see a child left in a car, even in a shady area or with a window cracked, call 911 and do whatever it takes to rescue the child,” Pruitt said.