Healthcare providers and families should implement three evidence-based strategies to protect children during extreme heat events. First, maintain appropriate hydration with plain water administered every 15–20 minutes, with volumes and timing adjusted according to the child’s age and individual needs. Second, restrict outdoor activity during peak heat hours from 11:00 to 16:00, when environmental temperatures pose maximal thermoregulatory stress.
Third, clinicians and caregivers must distinguish between heat exhaustion and heat stroke to enable timely intervention. Heat exhaustion presents with weakness, dizziness, and normal or mildly elevated body temperature, while heat stroke is a medical emergency characterized by confusion, high fever, and potential loss of consciousness. Prompt recognition and appropriate cooling measures—including removal from heat, hydration, and medical evaluation—can prevent serious complications.
These practical interventions, combined with environmental modifications such as shade access and lightweight clothing, form a comprehensive protective framework for pediatric heat safety. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
Was this article helpful?
