As a medical professional who lives in Arizona, I know only too well the dangers that the sun and the heat which it brings can cause people, especially kids. Somewhat worryingly the amount of kids being hospitalised because of heat related issues has risen in the last few years and there are even this who have accused many a father or mother of not doing enough to prevent the Tucson heat from causing the death or the severe damage to their children. This sounds extreme but in many cases, it really can happen.
I was chatting with Hans Eckhardt Tucson resident and my very helpful neighbour recently about the fact that not enough parents protect their kids in the right way when it comes to those hot summer months. The dangers which the sun can pose to your children are very real and they could cause issues that stay with them forever. I you are in any doubt as to why you should protect your kids from the sunshine, here are just a few reasons why.
Sensitivity
A child’s skin is far more sensitive than an adult’s and this can lead to sunburn in a much shorter space of time. Equally, if a child’s skin is damaged by the sunshine, it could leave a mark which they will have for the rest of their life, can cause horrific discomfort and could even cause skin conditions later on in life. It is for these reasons that you should be using a high factor sunscreen on your child at all times when they are exposed to the sun.
Knowledge
Kids have no idea about the dangers of the sun, they love it because they can play outside and everything is bright but they don’t know the risks that lurk behind it. For this reason you need to not only ensure that you are doing all that you can to protect your kids, but also that you are educating them on exactly why they need protection.
Core Temperature
The core temperature of a child is much more flexible than that of an adult and it own’t take long for it to rise to a dangerous level after some time in the sunshine. Maintaining a child’s temperature should always be uppermost in your mind when you are out and about in the sunshine and if you suspect that it is high, you must take action. When a child’s temperature is too high it can have an impact on energy levels as well as brain and organ function if not dealt with quickly.
Hydration
Whilst kids can live with less food and water than adults, they are also far more susceptible to dehydration as a result of exposure to high heat or a burning sun. In order to keep your child hydrated you should be constantly topping up their fluid levels and making sure that they are drinking enough water throughout the day. Dehydration is very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
