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Your child’s normal daily fluid intake requirement
can be significantly affected by exercise, sweating,
heat or altitude. Kids should drink fluids, such as
water, before, during and after any physical activity.
Set a pace that allows your child’s body to
adapt to the heat and/or altitude. Be sure to monitor
your kids’ hydration and don’t make them
wait for a drink if they tell you that they feel thirsty
– that feeling indicates that the dehydration
process has already started.
Watch for early symptoms of dehydration including
thirst, dry mouth, crankiness, headaches, decreased
coordination, and lethargy. Dehydration can quickly
increase in severity and lead to heat cramps, heat
exhaustion, and in extreme cases, heat stroke.
When kids show symptoms of mild dehydration, replenish
lost fluids and electrolytes through a sports drink
or by feeding salty foods and water. If they show
symptoms of moderate-severe dehydration, heat cramps,
heat exhaustion or heat stroke, give them plenty of
fluids, cool their core and immediately seek emergency
medical attention.
Kids are at high risk for frostbite, which usually
affects areas of the body that are exposed to the
cold. Though it usually affects fingers, toes, ears,
noses and cheeks, frostbite can happen to any exposed
skin. Help prevent frostbite by dressing your kids
in layers and monitoring them during exposure to cold
weather.
Frostnip leaves skin white and numb and is the early
warning sign of frostbite. If you notice frostnip,
immediately move indoors and get your child into warm,
dry clothes. Soak the affected body parts in warm
water until they are no longer numb. CAUTION: Do no
use hot water!
Frostbite turns the affected area gray or yellow and
makes it appear waxy. Frostbitten skin requires immediate
emergency medical attention. If you notice frostbite,
get your child into warm, dry clothes and take your
child to a hospital emergency room right away. CAUTION:
Do not rub frostbitten skin!
Hypothermia sets in after long exposure to low temperatures,
wind and moisture, and can happen when out hiking,
on the ski hill, or in cold water. Dress your kids
properly for the conditions – in layers and
with a hat – to help prevent hypothermia.
Symptoms include stiff muscles, slurred speech, intense
shivering, and complaints of being cold. If you suspect
your kids have hypothermia, get them into warm, dry
clothes and seek emergency medical attention immediately.
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