Practical Tips to Keep Children Comfortable During Extreme Summer Heat

Parents are urged to boost hydration by offering foods with high water content, from frozen lollies for toddlers to juicy fruits for older children, and to rely on breast milk for infants' fluid needs. The article cautions that once-daily sunscreens often fail to last, advising the use of SPF 30 or higher with a four-star rating, applied 30 minutes before exposure and reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.

It recommends keeping kids out of direct sunlight during the peak heat window of 11:00 to 15:00 and using portable shade rather than covering strollers with cloth that blocks airflow. Clothing choices should favor loose, dark fabrics or UPF-rated swimwear, complemented by wide-brimmed hats and wraparound sunglasses. Finally, it advises cooling bedrooms by closing curtains, using fans indirectly, and offering a cool bath before bedtime while keeping bedding light.