INDIANAPOLIS — As temperatures begin to rise, children should be cared for when going outside.
according to Emergency Medicine physician at Riley Children's Health Dr. Kara Kowalczyk.
"The difference with kids is they can't always communicate how they're feeling," Kowalczyk said. "They can't always say that they're too hot or ask for a drink. Kids don't sweat as much as adults and so they're going to, unfortunately, suffer heat exhaustion faster than adults."
Kowalczyk is an emergency medicine physician at Riley Children's Health. She said children, much like adults, can experience a heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Both of these can be extremely harmful to kids and even cause neurologic changes.
In order to protect kids, adults should check how hot the surfaces a child is playing on before the child goes on them.
"It is possible to get burned from really hot playground equipment or really hot pavement, and so make sure that you touch the things before you send your kids out to play barefoot," Kowalczyk said. "Put your hand down, see if it's too hot to keep your hand down. If it is, it's going to be too hot for them to play."
Kowalczyk said in order to help make sure children don't get burned from playing at the playground, it is best to take them to these areas earlier in the day or later in the evening as the temperature lowers. If you suspect your child is dehydrated, make sure to give them plenty of water, take them to a cooler area, and if the child's symptoms are not improving, call 911.
Signs of dehydration:
- Very thirsty
- Decreased urine output
- Not producing tears when crying
- Feeling dizzy, tired, or lightheaded
- Dry mouth, lips, and eyes
- Nausea
- Headaches
-
Hamilton County, Town of Sheridan at odds over road funding
Tensions between the town of Sheridan and Hamilton County officials have escalated over road funding responsibilities.Hoosiers rally at the statehouse and urge lawmakers to protect Medicaid
The rally focused on Senate Bill 2 which would require Medicaid recipients to all users to re-apply for Medicaid coverage quarterly.1 person in critical condition following south Indy shooting
One person is in critical condition following a shooting on the south side of Indianapolis on Tuesday.Husband of Martinsville teacher charged amid wife's abuse allegations
The husband of Brittany Fortinberry, an accused predatory teacher from Martinsville, has been charged with intimidation and failure to report a crime after he allegedly threatened one of her victims.