Ministry of Health issues advice to protect children from extreme heat

The Ministry of IDPs, Labour, Health and Social Protection has issued recommendations on how to protect children from the summer heat.

The recommendations point out that the summer heat can cause a variety of diseases in children. In addition, they explain that high temperatures can cause dehydration, physical fatigue, convulsions, and interrupted blood circulation.

“Protect your child from extreme heat as much as possible, monitor his condition and contact a doctor immediately if any suspicious symptoms occur.

Intense heat can cause dehydration, fatigue, convulsions, and disruption of blood circulation.

Contact your doctor if your child has any of the following symptoms: weakness, extreme tiredness, headache, fever, heart palpitations, vomiting, numbness, behavior changes (sleepiness, bad mood), faster and deeper breathing than usual.

If you notice any of these symptoms during a high fever, move your child to a cool place and give him plenty of fluids.

Children with breathing difficulties (asthma), cardiovascular and kidney disease, diarrhea, and limited mental and physical abilities are at highest risk.

Don’t forget about your child’s mental health. Being locked up at home can make kids nervous and stressed. So plan ahead for fun activities and games at home that will limit the time they spend in front of the TV.

Bathe your baby in cool water until he feels happy.

If you use a fan, position it at a safe distance from your child and control the direction of the airflow.

Plan to go out during the cooler part of the day.

If you are in an area where mosquitoes are active, use insect repellent to protect exposed skin and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Never leave children in a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight. Even in cold temperatures, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise quickly. Even with the windows open, the temperature can rise by 6 degrees in 10 minutes.

If you cannot avoid the sun, use a sunscreen with UV filters and follow the sunscreen manufacturer’s instructions,” the Department of Health noted.