It's a good thing water bottles have become 'cool'- the contents of the stylish containers can make coping with high heat and humidity easier. They also can protect outdoor workers, athletes, exercise enthusiasts, older adults, and children at play from summertime health risks that can be deadly, said Mary Higgins, K-State Research and Extension nutrition specialist.
Water is lost through perspiration and elimination.
Fluid replacement is essential, but it's best not to wait until you're thirsty. Children do not tolerate the heat as well as adults. Their bodies generate more heat relative to their size than adults do. They also lose more fluids because they have a greater proportion of skin surface in relation to their size. Since children do not always recognize their thirst, parents are encouraged to offer them a drink of water frequently - each time they pass through the kitchen and before, during and after play.