TOLEDO, Ohio — We all could sure use some vitamin D after being cooped up inside our homes because of the pandemic, but it's important to make sure you're taking care of yourself and your children in this extreme heat.
Charles Blair of Toledo and his family came out to Ottawa Park on Tuesday to enjoy nature and the sunshine, but they made sure to come prepared.
"First thing is to make sure you have a cooler with some ice and some water. Make sure you stay hydrated," Blair said.
Sakiah Porchia of Toledo plays tennis so she knows the importance of staying cool while being active.
"Get out before the sun is at its hottest, highest point," she said. "So for tennis practice, we get out at 9 AM and we get the shadiest court and take more frequent breaks."
Experts say infants and children up to four years of age are at the greatest risk for heat-related illness.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the warning signs and symptoms for heat exhaustion are:
- Heavy sweating
- Cold, pale, and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fainting (passing out)
"Dress infants and children in loose, light-weight, light-colored clothing. Stay cool with cool showers or baths. Use sunscreen with at least 15 SPF rating," said Bryan Rauch, an emergency nurse technician at ProMedica Pediatric Urgent Care.
If your child shows symptoms of heat exhaustion, you should:
- Bring your child to a cool, shaded place
- Encourage them to sip cool fluids that contain salt (like sports drinks)
- Apply a cold wet towel or sponge to the skin.
Get medical help right away if:
- You are throwing up
- Your symptoms get worse
- Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
"Just knowing your body and knowing when to take a drink. Especially in sports its so competitive. We can forget that. That we need to take a break," said Sakiah Porchia's mother.
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