As the summer days continue, heatstroke becomes the topic of concern for many parents and guardians. We need to be especially careful after the rainy season when we are not used to the heat and on days when the temperature spikes suddenly. Let’s stay healthy by drinking plenty of water and taking care of our bodies. 

Let’s get through the summer healthy

Although adults and children have the same number of sweat glands that produce sweat, children have a higher density of sweat glands and produce more sweat. Although sweat can bring the body temperature down, it can lead to skin irritation and rashes. It is important to not only take care of the sweat but also the skin.

・Shirts
Clothing with loose necklines and sleeves allows for more ventilation and feels breezy. A fabric that absorbs sweat and dries quickly like cotton is recommended. If the child does not want to wear an undershirt, a shirt that is a size larger may be suitable.

・Hats
Direct sunlight on the head can cause dizziness and nausea. When going outside, putting on a hat is recommended. It is best if it is large enough to cover the back of the neck.

・Shoes
Although adults may think that flip-flops are breezy and comfortable, children’s feet are not fully developed yet and their bones are soft. Wearing gym shoes that fit their feet is more suited for exercising outside. At KIA we ask students to bring gym shoes with features that prioritize safety like being easy to take off by themselves and fitting their feet well.

・Pants
Please choose different-length pants for different occasions: short pants for most occasions to stay cool and long pants during certain outdoor activities to avoid bug bites. 

 

◉Taking precautions against the heat when inside a vehicle

During vacations, families will be spending more time inside vehicles. We need to take precautions for the heat even when we are inside vehicles as well. 
Let’s prevent ourselves from receiving too much sunlight 
Even if the air conditioning is on, it can get hot under direct sunlight. It is important to protect ourselves from sunlight, for example by providing shade for children sitting in booster seats. 
Never leave children unattended inside a car
Temperature inside vehicles can increase rapidly due to the intense heat. Even if the air conditioning is on, the engine may stop due to overheating or a child may switch off the air conditioning by accident. It is never acceptable to leave children unattended inside vehicles even for a short period of time.