Children, especially babies andtoddlers, are more at risk for heat related illness than the general public.

Staying cool and making simple changes in your child's fluid intake, activities and clothing during hot weather can help everyone remain safe and healthy.

SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN

1. Encourage Your Child to Drink Plenty of Fluids
   During extreme heat, your child will need more fluids than normal.
   
   
2. Dress Your Child in Lightweight Clothing and Wear Sunscreen Outdoors
   Lightweight, loose fitting clothing will help keep a child cool. When outside, have the child wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect his head and use sunscreen to reduce the risk of sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself and causes loss of body fluids. Select sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher and follow package directions.
   
   
3. Stay Cool Indoors
   When it's extremely hot, keep children indoors where there is a good air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning visit a friend or neighbor with air conditioning or go to a shopping mall or public library for a few hours. Do not rely on electric fans only during a heat wave. A cool shower or bath is a more effective way to cool off. Damp hand towels used on the face & neck can also help.
   
   Since young children can have a harder time regulating their body temperatures, keeping the house cool is important.
   
   
4. Limit Outdoor Activity
   Limit your child's outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. While outdoors, make sure they rest frequently in a shady area and have plenty to drink.
   
   Children involved in sports should be especially careful. Encourage your child to slow down in hot weather. If exertion in the heat appears to be making the child sick, stop all activity, get into a cool or shady area, and rest, especially if the child becomes lightheaded, confused, weak, or feels faint.
   
   
   
5. Do Not Leave Your Child in a Parked Car, EVER!
   Cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Even with cool weather and the windows cracked open, temperatures inside the car can become extremely hot within a few minutes. Leaving a child in a car on a sunny day can lead to serious injury and death.

• Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
• To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
• When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.
  

For other child safety tips click here.