Keep babies and kids safe from heat stress

Extreme heat, or a heatwave, is a period of unusually hot weather.

Extreme heat can have severe effects.

Newborns, infants and young children are very vulnerable to heat-related illness as their bodies warm faster than others.

Schools, childcare services, parents and carers should prepare to keep children safe from this.

How to prepare

Childcare centres and schools should create a policy and plan to deal with extreme heat.

They must be able to recognise and respond to heat-related illness. They also need strategies to manage the risks of extreme hot weather and heatwaves.

You should check daily weather reports and make adjustments to outdoor activity schedules.

You can find heat health warnings on the:

• NT Health website
• NT Health Facebook page
• Secure NT website.

Childcare centres and schools should regularly check these sites during October to March. This is the time of the year when heatwaves often occur in the NT.

Symptoms

You should know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and how to respond. Treatment options vary according to the type of heat-related illness.

Some heat-related illnesses and common symptoms include:

• heat rash
• heat exhaustion - warning signs may include:
  • paleness and sweating
  • rapid heart rate
  • heat cramps - these include muscle pains or spasms
  • headache
  • nausea and vomiting
  • dizziness or fainting
• heat stroke - the person may stagger, appear confused, have a fit, collapse and become unconscious
  • this is a medical emergency and needs urgent attention.

For a list of common heat-related illness, symptoms and first aid measures, read heat stress.

During a heatwave

During a heatwave or hot weather, carers should do the following:

• Make sure students and children stay well hydrated. Encourage older children to drink plenty of water, even before feeling thirsty.
• Offer younger children and babies a drink of water frequently – before, during and after play. You can offer babies cooled boiled water in addition to normal feeds.
• Check on babies regularly. Monitor nappy changes. Well-hydrated babies regularly wet their nappies.
• Ensure children are not left unattended in cars or buses.
• Consider cancelling, rescheduling, or moving sports practice to cooler times of the day. For example, early morning.
• Avoid doing outside activities with children in the heat of the day - generally between 11am and 4pm.
• If your building is air-conditioned, consider holding break times indoors.
  • If your building is not air-conditioned, consider holding break times or classes in shady places. They may be cooler than the indoor air temperature.
• Check children for signs of heat-related illness.
  • If a child shows signs of heat-related illness, give them water and allow them to rest in a cool place.  You can cool them down quickly by applying ice packs to their groin and under the armpits. You can also wrap them in a wet sheet and fan them.
  • If their condition doesn't improve, or they show signs of worsening, get medical help immediately. The child could have heat-stroke, which is a very serious condition.

For more information on how to treat a child or person with heat-related illness, read heat stress.