Baby, it’s hot outside
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- July
- 10
Good post by Julie, and I’m anxious to see what parents are doing out there to keep the kids cool in the hot weather. My son’s camp has issued an advisory, and have come up with my favorite option: An extra swim in the pool every day and tons of water and ice cubes throughout the camp. Poor babies!
Seriously, there are very real health risks associated with the hot temperatures, particularly for children and the elderly. I’ve taken to freezing bottled water and sticking it in my son’s backpack along with his lunch. My theory is he can never have enough cold water on hand. Kids, after all, will be kids, and can be easily distracted while playing a game or running around in the heat.
I’ve also scrolled around for health tips, and came upon a few basic but important ones. This falls into the category of obvious but necessary.
One good list comes from “Children’s Memorial Hospital”:http://www.childrensmemorial.org/kids_doc/advice/topic.asp?tID=128&catID=1 in Chicago. Area hospitals have similar health tip links and brochures, and it’s worth seeking those out as well. The simple recipe is water, water, water and shade. Parents are also cautioned not to give their children salt tablets, which some parents apparently tend to do, from what I’ve read.
Of course, an additional stint in the pool creates its own level of safety risks, so keep that in mind. Always be on alert when your children are around a pool or at the beach. Westchester County says drownings are the second leading cause of accidental deaths for kids under 14. That’s one story I certainly don’t want to have to write this summer.
With that in mind, the county provides some “pool safety tips”:http://www.westchestergov.com/printerfriendly/news_4599.htm that are worth reading. There is also a good link on that page to a pool safety brochure. Print it out and keep it handy.
Personally, my top pool safety tip is to jump in with my son. Now if only I could convince my boss to give me the day off.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, July 10th, 2007 at 9:27 am by jfitzgibbon.
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Jorge, what’s bad about salt tablets?
I’d never think to take a salt tablet or give anybody one, but I’m just wondering why they’re bad.
David;
Based on the folks at Children’s Memorial Hospital and a few other health sites I hunted down, they’re simply not needed and could interfere with fluid intake during hot weather, when the body needs it. Here’s what CMH says:
“Do not give your child salt tablets. They’re not necessary. They also slow down stomach emptying and delay the absorption of water, which the body badly needs.”
I have always relied on Gatorade myself to replenish my system in hot weather. But I was never able to get my son to take to it. So I always tried to keep some Pedialyte ice pops in the freezer for him. That reminds me: I need to stock up on those while this heat wave lingers.