Beat The Heat This Summer

Posted: 12th August 2021

The summer heat can be a very dangerous thing across the summer holidays. With so many outdoor activities planned for your children, knowing how to keep them cool is extremely important so that they can have a great, worry-free summer. Here are SELFA’s top tips for beating the heat this summer!

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Everybody knows that staying hydrated is one of the best ways to beat the summer heat. Plain water is great when you are out in the sun but so are sports drinks as they are full of the right mixture of salts, sugars and electrolytes. Make sure to offer drinks to your child so that you know that they are drinking enough throughout the day.

Eat Cold/Frozen Foods

As well as liquids, cold foods and treats are a great way to stay cool and beat the heat. This could include frozen ice lollies or ice cream. Using cold foods such as refrigerated fruit to make smoothies is also a great way to cool our bodies down and our children get to  consume healthy foods at the same time. Yum! 

Stay Cool in The Shade

If you can, stay out of direct sunlight. The sun beating down on you can easily cause you to overheat. One of the best ways to do this is by taking your outdoor activities to the woods as they provide a lot of cover from the sun. If you were planning on having a picnic or going for a walk, why not try doing them in the woods? Yours and your child’s bodies will thank you for it. 

Avoid Peak Heat Times

The best times to go out in the sun are in the morning and in the evening. This is because the sun is at its coolest at this time so try to plan your activities around this and use the middle of the day as your cooling down time so that your child can recuperate their energy for later in the day. This chilling out time does not mean that you have to stay at home though! The cinema, museums or even play areas are a great option over summer as they are usually air conditioned which is good for everyone. 

Wear Light and Airy Clothes 

Dressing appropriately for the weather is vital. You might think that a child wear shorts and a vest in the sun is the best option however, it doesn’t always work out that way. Even without the sleeves, some clothes like this can still have thick or heavy fabrics which will trap the heat and keep your child warmer and the amount of skin on show could also lead to sunburn. When deciding your child’s outfit for the day, it is important that the clothes are light and airy so that the air can flow through and not get trapped.

Get Wet to Cool The Body Down

Everything gets cooler with a splash of water! Getting wet regularly throughout the day is a great way to beat the heat this summer and there are countless ways to do this. Why not encourage your children to have a water fight, set up a paddling pool for them in your garden, set up a slip ‘n slide or even ask them to help you to wash your car! The opportunities are endless and it will make for a fun day with all of these great options.  

Cool Your Body’s Hot Zone 

The body has specific points that can heat up your body super quickly. These places include our temples, neck, ankles, behind the knees, wrists and the bends of your elbow. When your child begins to feel hot try applying an icepack or a bottle of cold liquid to these different spots and it will help them to cool down very quickly.

Look Out For Heat Rash & Heat Stroke

Babies and toddlers have an increased risk of overheating as their bodies cannot yet regulate their body temperature and so, seeing the signs of heat stroke is vital. The symptoms of heat stroke include, skin that is hot, dry & red, a high temperature without sweating, headaches, restlessness, vomiting, shallow & quick breathing, dizziness and sometimes unconsciousness. Spotting these signs early will help to ensure that your child will be okay.