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Heat exhaustion and heatstroke in children: signs and what to do
Children heat up faster than adults, and they don't always notice, or say, when they're getting too hot. Knowing the signs means you can step in early.
Signs of heat exhaustion
- Headache, dizziness or feeling sick.
- Heavy sweating, with pale, clammy skin.
- Cramps in the arms, legs or tummy.
- Fast breathing or a fast pulse.
- A temperature of 38°C or above.
- Children may also become irritable, floppy or sleepy.
What to do
Move them somewhere cool, take off any extra layers, and give them water or a rehydration drink. Cool their skin by spraying or sponging with cool water and fanning them. Cold packs wrapped in a cloth under the armpits or on the neck help too. Stay with them. They should start to feel better within 30 minutes.
When it's an emergency
Call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US if they're still unwell after 30 minutes of cooling down, or if they have hot skin that isn't sweating, a very high temperature, a fast heartbeat, confusion, a fit, or they're very drowsy or hard to wake. That can be heatstroke, and it needs treating straight away.
Keeping cool on hot days
- Plan active play for the cooler parts of the day, and find shade in the middle of it.
- Sun hats, light loose clothes, and a water bottle they actually drink from.
- Keep an eye on babies and toddlers, who can't cool themselves as well and can't tell you they're too hot.
- Never leave a child in a parked car, even for a minute. Here's why cars heat up so fast.
We're building Mya'Shield, an early alert device that tells parents when something seems off, including if it's getting too hot where your child is, or if they stop moving for longer than expected. It's a backup to good habits, never a replacement for them.