How to Keep Your Kids Safe While Exercising in the Heat from Pediatric Dental Specialists

Summer is coming and it is important for your kids to be able to play outside in the sun. Here are some great tips from Pediatric Dental Specialists to make sure everyone stays safe!

--The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.

--At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.

--Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.

--Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated garments should be replaced by dry garments.

--Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

Any more questions, let us know at Pediatric Dental Specialists, we'd love to answer your questions!