Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Your child's body can react when they are exposed to hot temperatures without drinking lots of liquids and resting.

• Heat cramps are actually muscle spasms. Have your child rest in the shade, drink lots of water slowly and stretch their muscles.
• Heat exhaustion causes an upset stomach, weak muscles, dizziness and cool or pale skin. Have your child rest in the shade and drink lots of water slowly.
• Heat stroke is an emergency. This occurs if heat exhaustion is ignored. Heat stroke causes hot and dry skin (no sweating), shallow breathing and a weak pulse. Get your child to a hospital right away. The hotter the temperatures and the higher the humidity, your child is at a higher risk for heat stroke.

How to prevent heat-related illness

During the summer, make sure your child:

• dresses in loose-fitting, cool clothing
• stays out of direct sunlight as much as possible
• drinks plenty of water
• takes breaks often when playing outside
• stops playing outside when he gets tired