Tips From St. Louis Child Care Facility For Summer Safety

Everyone knows it can get HOT in St. Louis in the summer. In July and August the summer sun can create dangerous situations for babies and toddlers, from sunburns to heat stroke. As a St. Louis child care facility we have a responsibility to keep our kiddos safe in the summer time heat. Beyond our professional responsibilities as an accredited daycare facility; we also want our families to happily enjoy the summer season.  Here are some tips for staying safe in the hot, hot St. Louis sun.

Tips From St. Louis Child Care Facility For Summer Safety

Some additional tips for summertime safety from st. louis child care facility

Some additional tips for summertime safety.

In the summer, the heat can creep up on kids faster than it can adults. Playing outside, running around, and going full tilt; young children often don’t know when to stop. That is why it is vital for adults to know the sign of heat sickness.

Heat sickness can start slowly and affect babies, toddlers and young children because, “in relation to their weight, they have a large surface area of skin through which to lose water. In addition, until about age two, children’s kidneys are not able to concentrate urine and preserve body fluids as efficiently as adult kidneys.” (Encyclopedia of Children’s Health) Adult bodies can release excess body heat through sweat, cooling the whole body down. The sweat evaporates and keeps us cool.  Babies, toddlers, and even pre-school aged children do not sweat as well as adults because their bodies haven’t learned to regulate body heat as efficiently yet. Because of this, children can overheat quite easily. The most important thing is to recognize the early signs.

The Early Signs Of Heat Sickness

  • One of the first signs, especially in babies, is moodiness or fussiness. If your child is uncomfortable they will let you know. It is important to listen to them.
  • Cramping in the extremities (arms and legs) and the abdomen can be a sign of heat stress. This happens because the body is depleting its supply of water and electrolytes, causing cramps.
  • Prickly heat or heat rash, which is a red cluster of pimples or bumps on the skin, is another indication of heat sickness. This rash clusters on or around the neck, upper chest, groin, and in elbow creases and doesn’t go away after the skin is cooled.

Parents who notice these signs in their children should immediately stop all activity and allow the child to rest in a cool environment. Removing clothing and massaging away cramps will help comfort the child. It is also important to keep the child hydrated with water or electrolyte infused drinks like Pedialite.

When To Call The Doctor

It is time to call the doctor if the symptoms start to escalate. It is always better to be safe than sorry, since heat stroke can be very serious; especially in infants and children. Doctors recommend taking medical action if your child starts to display a number of these symptoms.

  •  Intense thirst
  • Highly concentrated and decreased output of deep yellow/orange urine
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Pale skin
  • Rapid but weak heart rate
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting

Prevention Is Best

The best way to prevent serious summertime situations is with a little prevention.  As an accredited St. Louis child care facility we have procedures in place for keeping our students safe during any weather forecast. When the temperature rises we closely monitor all of our children for over exposure to the heat. We offer regular water breaks in the summer, and encourage the children to drink even when they don’t feel thirsty. We encourage our children to wear light colored and loose clothing in the summer time. We also create fun indoor activities during the hottest part of the day. In extreme heat, we limit the amount of time the kids can be outside to ensure that safety is our number one priority.

If you have questions or concerns about how Adventure Learning Center practices safety in the summer time please feel free to stop by the office or give us a call. We are always happy to chat with our parents about our procedures that are in place to ensure fun and safety this summer. Or you can contact us online.

Contact Us