Tips to keep children safe from the dangers of summer heat

While enjoying time with family on the boat, at church picnics, in the backyard or at the beach, be sure to keep kids safe during the summer heat.

Heat can trigger three major illnesses, says Dr. Eric Kirkendall of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. “Heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps are reactions caused by exposure to high temperatures combined with high humidity.”

The most serious reaction is heatstroke, which is a life-threatening emergency that should be treated immediately by parents and then by medical professionals. Symptoms can include hot, flushed skin, high fevers (over 104° F), confusion, and even seizures.

If you notice signs of heatstroke, call 911 immediately, cool off the child as quickly as possible by sponging the entire body with cool water, elevate feet to counteract shock and have the child drink cool, not cold water, while waiting for Emergency Medical Services to arrive, said Kirkendall. Do the same if treating the child for heat exhaustion, although it is not necessary to call 911 or a physician unless symptoms continue.

Heat exhaustion is less severe, but also requires medical attention. Symptoms include lots of sweating, nausea, dizziness, fainting or weakness. Heat cramps occur mostly in the child's abdomen and legs, especially the calf or thigh muscles, but symptoms do not include a fever.

Parents can take many steps to keep children safe by keeping them hydrated with water, limiting their time outside during extremely hot weather and encouraging inside breaks when they do play outside, said Kirkendall. Click here for more information.

Never leave kids in a hot car, officials say in press conference planned even before Louisville toddler died

Following a 2-year-old Louisville boy's death from hyperthermia after he was left alone in a hot car Saturday, health officials warned of the dangers of vehicle-related heat stroke at a news conference in Frankfort yesterday.

"The loss of a child due to hyperthermia is a horrific tragedy that, sadly, we are seeing every year in this state," said Dr. Susan Pollack, coordinator for Kentucky's Safe Kids Coalition.

According to the group, one of 600 such coalitions and chapters around the country, two other child vehicular deaths — one in Texas, another in Louisiana — have already happened this year. Last year was the worst on record with 49 deaths nationwide. There have been 494 deaths in the country from 1998 to 2010, 13 of which happened in Kentucky.

About half the deaths occur when a parent forgets their child is in the car and leaves. "Something in a caregiver's daily routine changes, and the caregiver forgets to drop off the child at day care or with another caregiver and leaves the child in the car," Beth Musgrave of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports. As such, Safe Kids recommends setting a cell phone alarm to remind parents or placing a purse or cell phone near the child to act as a similar memory prompt.

In some cases, parents know they've left their child in the car, but do not realize how hot the car can get. "If you crack the windows, it doesn't make it cooler," Pollack said. One study found the temperature in a vehicle can rise 20 degrees in 10 minutes during warm weather. Moreover, a child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than adults.

About 30 percent of related deaths happen when a child is playing in a car and becomes trapped inside. Safe Kids recommends always locking a vehicle to prevent kids from getting in.

The news conference was planned before the death of 2-year-old Kenton Brown, Musgrave reports. Anyone who intentionally leaves a child in a hot car can face manslaughter charges if the child is younger than 8, Kentucky State Police Lt. David Jude said. (Read more)