Children are more susceptible to heat-related injuries and illnesses than adults for several reasons. The efficiency of sweat evaporation, or the cooling process, is greatly affected by humidity, so heat-related injury is more likely when the humidity is high. Also, children's bodies adjust to hot conditions slowly. Some heat-related injuries and illnesses to watch for are sunburn, burns from hot surfaces, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Dehydration occurs when children lose more fluid than they take in.
Our bodies lose fluid each day through breathing, perspiration, and urination, and this water must be replaced continuously. During hot weather or when exercising, we perspire more and lose more fluid, so it is important to replace this by drinking extra water. Heat exhaustion occurs when children get hot and lose too much fluid through sweating. A child with heat exhaustion may even faint. If a child has these symptoms, move him to a cool place such as an air-conditioned building or vehicle.