Eight ways to help your child stay cool during a heatwave
The World Health Organisation reports that from 1998 to 2017, over 166,000 people have died as a result of heatwaves. Here is how you can ensure your child is protected.
Elderly people and kids are most at risk during heatwaves. Some can faint, experience overheating, get headaches, and even die.
Over the past few days, parts of South Africa have been experiencing heatwaves.
READ: KZN set to experience heatwave
This can be stressful, especially for parents who must send their kids to school. High temperatures outside can increase our body temperatures.
Due to the COVID-19 regulations, kids with a high temperature of more than 37.5 Degrees Celsius are not permitted onto school premises, whether they have other coronavirus symptoms or not.
The relief comes in knowing that there are activities that can be done to cool down the body's temperature. Let's look at them.
- When it is hot, the body gets hydrated quickly. So, it is important to always ensure they drink enough water. This will also help keep their body temperature cool. So, pack a bottle of water for them to carry to school.
- Apply sunscreen. Sunscreen helps protect the
skin from UV Rays and sunburn. It has even been proven to decrease the risk of
developing cancer.
- Bath them with cool or cold water instead of hot water. This will also help cool their body temperature down.
- Use a fan or air conditioner in your home and car. This will have cool air circulate throughout the house or car, keeping their temperature down.
- Dress them lightly.
- Play games that involve water such as water bucket race and sprinkler twister.
- Swim.
- Eat cold food. Try not to cook, as cooking can also produce heat in the house. Rather feed them with cold food that will help cool their body temperature.
READ: Heatwave safety warning for KZN bathers
Image courtesy of iStock/ @vvvita