Heat Awareness

The National Weather Service says the summer of 2012 is going to end up being the hottest summer we’ve seen in more than two decades.
That heat can be dangerous and even deadly.
Health experts say the best way to stop dehydration or heatstroke is to prevent them before they happen.
Young children and infants are among those at greatest risk, but a watchful parent can see the many signs that a child needs water.
Jill Fries of the Marquette County Health Department says it’s a good idea to stay out of the sun during peak heat hours, which are from 10 am to 2 pm.
She suggests staying hydrated before thirst sets in — when the human body heats up, sweat is how it keeps cool, so by the time you get thirsty, your body has already lost quite a bit of moisture.
Fries says kids’ bodies can’t regulate temperature as effectively as adults do; their body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s.
She says when kids become whiny or when their cries change, an attentive parent will recognize that.
Fries adds that if a child is refusing water, is vomiting or has a dry diaper, that child isn’t getting enough fluid.

Posted by: Mike Hoey