2953 S. 168th St, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68130
Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents
Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents
The team at Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents is here to help keep your children healthy all summer by providing trusted pediatric guidance on preventing heat-related illnesses. We’ve got the info you need to have safe fun in the summer heat, recognize dehydration warning signs early, and know when medical care is needed.
While summer is often a favorite time of year for families, the heat of the season can make it one of the most dangerous times for dehydration, sunburn, and heat stroke. Because children sweat less and have higher metabolisms than adults, they can become overheated quickly and suddenly, making prevention essential for having a fun time that’s as safe as possible.
You can protect children from summer heat by encouraging frequent hydration, limiting outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), dressing them in lightweight clothing, applying sunscreen regularly, taking frequent shade breaks, and watching for signs of heat exhaustion or dehydration. Read on to learn more about heat protection for your family, hydration tips for kids in summer, and find out what to do if your child develops a heat-related illness.
Because children are more vulnerable to heat than adults, a heat-related illness can come as a surprise to them and the people caring for them. With their smaller body size, higher metabolism, and less-efficient cooling/sweating abilities, kids have the ability to get much hotter, much faster than adults. And, because kids don’t often know or recognize overheating, it’s up to the adults around them to be on the lookout for warning signs.
While we can’t control the heat, we can control the ways we spend time outdoors during peak summer months. Summer heat safety for kids comes down to preparation, hydration, and paying attention. It’s also important to make sure they aren’t taking any medications that react badly with heat.
Make sure your child drinks water (rather than sports drinks) before they get thirsty by offering frequent hydration reminders, and snacks that are high in water content, like fruits and vegetables.
Dress your kids in lightweight clothing made with light-colored fabrics and breathable materials to deter additional heat absorption. Wide-brimmed hats help kids keep cool and prevent sunburns.
Plan for outdoor play before 10:00 am, or evening activities after 4:00 pm. Consult a weather resource to plan your day around the heat index, rather than just temperature.
It’s important to plan frequent cooling breaks in your summertime activities. Periodically take breaks in the shade or air conditioning, plan some indoor activities, and pack cooling towels in your supplies.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 40 or higher, and be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours. Wear sunglasses and opt for protective clothing if you have the choice.
Heat exhaustion is the stage before heat stroke, and happens when the body becomes too hot, losing too much moisture and salt.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
If your child develops these symptoms, move them to a cool location, offer fluids, and monitor them closely.
Once heat exhaustion becomes so severe that it advances into heat stroke, the illness is considered a medical emergency. If left untreated, organ failure and death can occur.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke:
Call 911 immediately if heat stroke is suspected.
Fluid needs change as kids get older, but the need for hydration stays imperative. As kids become teens and start participating in sports, hydration before and during practices is extremely important.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following guidelines:
| Child’s Activity | Hydration Recommendation |
| Playing outdoors | Offer water before going outside and every 20–30 minutes during play. |
| Sports practice or games | Encourage drinking water before, during breaks, and after activity. Consider an electrolyte drink for prolonged, vigorous exercise (typically over an hour). |
| At the pool or splash pad | Keep a water bottle nearby and remind children to drink regularly, even if they don’t feel thirsty. |
| At summer camp | Pack a refillable water bottle and encourage frequent refills throughout the day. |
| On family outings | Bring extra water and schedule regular drink breaks, especially in hot or humid weather. |
At all times, but especially in the summer heat, you should never leave children in a parked car, especially if they are too young to be able to remove themselves from the car. The interior temperatures of a car rise rapidly and intensely, and in some cases heatstroke — a medical emergency — can occur within minutes. Developing safety reminders for yourself, specifically checking the back seat every time you leave your car, can save a child’s life.
Most experts agree that a heat index (or “feels like” temperature) of 90°F or higher is too hot for kids playing outside in hot weather. It’s important to remember that heat index takes relative humidity into account, and is a more accurate representation of danger than the general temperature. In Nebraska, where the summers are often extremely hot with high humidity, it’s essential to pay attention to heat index as well as general temperature. On days when the heat index is nearing or above 90°F, we recommend shortening outdoor playtime or simply finding indoor activities instead.
Heading out into the summer heat? Prevent heat illness in your children by ticking off the boxes on this checklist!
Heat exhaustion in children can happen quickly.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, please contact us at Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents and set up an appointment with your family’s trusted provider. If you’re not an existing patient, now is a great time to establish primary care.
Yes, because they sweat less, have a higher metabolism, and no way to help themselves, babies can overheat easily and quickly.
Children should take a hydration break at least every 20 minutes when playing outside in the summer heat.
Pale skin, heavy sweating, and nausea are a few of the first signs of heat exhaustion. Refer to a more comprehensive list of these symptoms in the article above.
Signs of dehydration in children include lethargic behavior, infrequent urination, dry mouth, and fewer tears than normal when crying.
A heat index of 90°F or higher is considered too hot for outdoor play, and not a safe outdoor temperature for children.
It is not recommended for kids to play sports when the heat index is 90°F or higher. If sports are played in this heat, diligent hydration is imperative.
Unless a child is participating in strenuous activity for 60 minutes or more in extreme heat, plain water is recommended over sports drinks.
Your child should be seen by a doctor if they are exhibiting child overheating symptoms or signs of heat exhaustion. Signs of heat stroke should be considered a medical emergency.
If you have questions about heat-related illnesses, dehydration, or your child’s overall summer health, the team at Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents is here to help. Schedule an appointment or contact us for trusted pediatric care and guidance.
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