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Even though many parts of the U.S. have been feeling summer temperatures for weeks now, the official start of summer is today, June 21. With the arrival of long summer days spent outdoors in the heat, it is more important than ever to pay attention to extreme heat and children’s health.
If you’re a parent or caregiver of children who play outdoor sports like I am, you’re probably starting to notice sweatier kids, increasing loads of laundry, and more water bottles refill requests. Summer sports leagues and camps can mean long hours outdoors. And while trees are excellent at providing cover and reducing heat, you can’t exactly play a baseball game in the middle of them! As a soccer mom cheering on the sidelines, I often feel like I’m watching my kid play a soccer game on the fiery surface of Venus, instead of our planet Earth.
Because their bodies are still growing, children are particularly vulnerable to certain environmental health risks, including heat. Children have unique behaviors that make them more vulnerable than adults: they spend more time outdoors and they rely on others to be kept cool and hydrated. Children also have physiological differences: their bodies can warm up 3-5 times faster and they don’t sweat as much as adults.
Yet outdoor play – whether informally at recess, swimming at the pool, or through playing organized sports – is a fundamental part of childhood. As a parent or community member taking care of children, it’s important to recognize there are steps you can take to help keep kids safe in extreme heat.
Beat the Heat: Prevention is Key
Prevention is the best defense. As much as you can, keep children out of direct sun. Move outdoor activities to the morning and evening rather than middle of the day. Stay hydrated, wear loose and light clothing, and practice sun safety (including wearing sunscreen). I know that some teens like to work on their tan during the summer, but please advise them of the risks of sunburn. Check out more tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting young athletes in extreme heat.
Never leave children alone in a parked car – temperatures inside a car can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, even with an open window. Preschool and elementary children might enjoy CDC’s “Ready Wrigley Prepares for Extreme Heat,” a coloring and activity book that teaches kids what they can do to stay safe.
Recognize the Signs of Heat Illness
Signs of heat illness or heat exhaustion can include flushed skin, dizziness, headache, or fatigue; and weakness or muscle cramps. Many of these symptoms can be treated at home with fluids and rest. If these symptoms are ignored, heatstroke can develop. Heatstroke symptoms include hot, flushed skin; high fever; little to no sweating; and confusion. Heatstroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Children aren’t always in tune with their bodies and the need for them to take breaks, so it’s vital for adults to look out for these signs of heat illness before they progress to heatstroke.
Stay Informed When Planning Outdoor Summer Events
Heat is one of the most apparent indicators of climate change. In April, EPA released “Climate Change and Children’s Health and Well-Being in the United States,” which describes the many ways children are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. For example, heat is linked to lowered academic performance, in addition to heat illnesses. Heat slows mental reactions and can make it more difficult to concentrate, and heat can also reduce sleep quality. In addition, heat can worsen ozone levels and other pollutants in the air.
Don’t let hotter temperatures ruin your summer fun. Make sure to visit AirNow to check your local air quality and help plan your outdoor activities this summer. I hope the simple tips and resources discussed above help keep your children (and you!) safe this summer, no matter the temperature!
About the Author
Grace Robiou
Director
Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP)
Grace Robiou brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Office of Children's Health Protection, having worked in many programs across EPA. She has held numerous management positions during the past 20 years in the Office of Water, Office of Land and Emergency Management and Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. She has led national programs pertaining to water quality standards; drinking water and wastewater security; marine pollution, coastal and watershed management; the sustainable reuse, recovery and recycling of solid wastes. She has also conducted risk assessments for pesticides and helped protect farmworkers from the risks of pesticide exposure.
Grace holds a BS in Environmental Science from Tufts University and a MPH from The Johns Hopkins University.
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