By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — As triple-digit temperatures trigger more extreme heat days across the Valley, health experts are urging parents to take immediate precautions for students returning to the classroom.
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With afternoon highs forecasted between 109 and 112 degrees, doctors warn that children are uniquely vulnerable to the extreme conditions.
“They’re so tiny,” said Samia Kadri, a family nurse practitioner at Banner Urgent Care. “They dehydrate fast.”
Health officials stress that heat safety begins before students even leave the house. Here is what parents and students need to know to stay safe during this period of extreme heat.
The Hydration Equation: Water Isn’t Enough
While encouraging kids to drink water is vital, effective hydration depends heavily on a child’s weight. For example, a 60-pound child requires about seven cups of water per day.
However, Kadri points out that active children cannot rely on water alone when sweating heavily.
“They need some electrolytes,” Kadri explained. “They will drink that water and sweat it right out through their pores and urinate it out. Electrolytes will help keep it in their bloodstream and vascular space.”
Direct Sunlight vs. Guzzling Water
A common mistake is assuming a highly hydrated child is immune to heat illness while playing outdoors. Direct exposure to the desert sun can quickly overwhelm the body’s cooling system, regardless of fluid intake.
“If you’re in direct sunlight, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been guzzling water,” Kadri warned. “If you’re going to sweat it all out, it kind of defeats the purpose.”
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For student-athletes and active children, Kadri recommends a strict timeline for outdoor activity:
- The 15-Minute Rule: Children should stop, seek shade, and drink water every 15 minutes to bring their heart rates down.
- Sun Protection: Students walking home should carry umbrellas for personal shade and always wear sunscreen.
Spotting the Danger Signs: When to Seek Help
Parents and teachers must be able to recognize the progression of heat-related illnesses, which can escalate rapidly from mild dehydration to life-threatening heat stroke.
Early signs of heat trouble include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches and abdominal pain
- Excessive sweating and extreme thirst
However, the most critical warning sign is when a child stops sweating altogether.
“When they’re not sweating anymore, then that’s a significant sign of heat exhaustion and eventually heat stroke,” Kadri said, emphasizing that it is a medical emergency.
Health experts recommend that parents actively teach their children to identify these early symptoms and encourage them to look out for their classmates.
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