Unveiling Heat Health Risks for Kids: Protecting Children in High Temperatures
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Children faces significant risk of heatstroke and dehydration during excessive heat periods - Heat-Related Health Risks Pose Threat to Children
Whether it's playgrounds or classrooms, the mercury rising above 30°C can spell trouble for children. A comprehensive review of health insurance claims from DAK-Gesundheit in Lower Saxony reveals that young ones are eleven times more likely to encounter heatstroke, cramps, or exhaustion symptoms in such sweltering conditions. Even at 25°C, the heat can still lead to negative health impacts for the young demographic.
School-age children face the highest risk, with allergy and asthma symptoms and heat-related illnesses escalating by up to 15 times. Newborns and infants are another vulnerable group, with a 19 percent increased risk of respiratory distress on scorching days, according to the same health insurance provider.
Dirk Vennekold, DAK regional manager, called for comprehensive heat protection, "From kindergarten to schoolyards, we need solutions that shield our children from the harsh effects of heat on playgrounds to football fields." Preventive measures include making sure children stay well-hydrated, find cool spaces, dress lightly, and take breaks during the most sweltering hours.
Traditionally, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions are expected to be the most susceptible to heat-related ailments, but recent data shows that children are not immune either. The Robert Koch Institute confirms that the summer of 2024 counted an estimated 3,000 heat-related deaths in Germany.
A Forsa survey commissioned by DAK found that 82 percent of children in Northern Germany suffer from various heat-related health problems, including sleep disturbances, headaches, fatigue, and circulatory issues. 79 percent of parents confess to witnessing their children struggle in the heat.
A significant portion of parents and children are deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on their health. Nearly half of the children and 58 percent of the parents surveyed believe politics, industry, the public, and schools aren't doing enough to combat climate change.
Heat Protection for Children: International Recommendations
While regional guidance may vary, the following best practices for safeguarding children during heatwaves apply universally:
Main Strategies for Protecting Your Child from Heat:
- Keep water to maintain hydration.
- Opt for clothing for comfort.
- Shield them from the sun by using sun-protective hats or canopies.
- Limit outdoor activities during the hottest hours (typically between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
- Seek out or indoor environments where temperatures are cooler.
- Regularly apply sunscreen with an SPF of to exposed skin.
- Be vigilant for signs of heat-related illnesses, like dizziness, nausea, or confusion.
Tips for Protecting Children in Lower Saxony:
- Modify outdoor activities to take place in cooler, shaded areas.
- Encourage rest periods during the peak heat of the day to prevent overexertion.
- Educate parents and caregivers on heat safety measures and the importance of being prepared.
The health insurance data shows that between 2018 and 2022, temperatures above 30°C were recorded on 3.2 percent of all days in Lower Saxony, well below the national average of 4.1 percent. For the latest official guidelines and recommendations tailored to Lower Saxony, check the electronic resources provided by DAK-Gesundheit, or reach out to their support services directly.
- These rising temperatures can pose significant health risks to children, as a review of health insurance claims reveals that they are eleven times more likely to experience heatstroke, cramps, or exhaustion at temperatures above 30°C, and even at 25°C, their health can still be negatively impacted.
- To protect children from heat-related illnesses, it's crucial to implement measures such as encouraging frequent water consumption, dressing them in lightweight, breathable clothing, shielding them from the sun, limiting outdoor activities during the hottest hours, and seeking out shaded spaces or indoor environments.
- The Robert Koch Institute reveals that, in the summer of 2024, an estimated 3,000 heat-related deaths occurred in Germany, underscoring the urgency of comprehensive heat protection for all, particularly children. This includes federal and regional recommendations, as well as preventive measures such as anticipating the peak heat hours, providing cool spaces, and educating parents and caregivers on heat safety.
