Beat the Heat: Keep Kids Safe in the Autumn Sun

As the Bay Area’s autumn heat wave continues, ensuring children stay cool and safe is crucial—especially for kids under 4 who can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults.

Alok Patel, MD, a pediatric hospitalist at Stanford Children’s Health, highlights the dangers of heat stroke and dehydration in young children. “Parents should be aware of the signs of heat stroke such as fever, redness, headache, confusion, nausea, or changes in breathing. Symptoms can progress to disorientation, loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma if left untreated.”

Many may also head toward the pool or open water to beat the heat. Before your kids head into the water, Dr. Patel suggests children should have age-appropriate swimming lessons and should never be in the water unattended. Make sure there is a lifeguard present, and an adult should always be within arm’s reach of young children.

There’s also more of a chance to get sunburned. So, make sure children stay well hydrated, have sunscreen on, and are covered up, especially during peak sunshine hours, which typically run from 10 am-4 pm.

Lauren Strelitz, MD, a pediatrician at Bayside Medical Group – Pinole, explains that sun protection is important because too much exposure can cause mutations in the DNA in the skin that can lead to cancer. That’s why she urges parents to apply sunscreen to their kids’ skin every day, even on cloudy days or in the winter.

“You definitely want to apply sunscreen on a warm, sunny day. But even when it’s not sunny, it is good to put sunscreen on when you’re going outside because we are still exposed to UV light,” Dr. Strelitz said. “If you’re skiing or snowboarding, it reflects on surfaces like snow—and even cement or puddles of water.”

Dr. Strelitz recommends following these guidelines when applying sunscreen:

Make sure to apply enough sunscreen: Use 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of sunscreen per application.

Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before sun exposure; skin needs time to absorb the sunscreen.

Reapply throughout the day; follow the manufacturer’s instructions, generally at least every 90 to 120 minutes (more frequently if you’re in the water or sweating).

Pay attention to easy-to-miss spots like the back of the neck and ears.

Do a patch test before starting a new sunscreen with your child: Apply a small 1-inch patch on their skin for two nights in a row to check for a reaction.

By taking these precautions, you can help your children safely enjoy their time in the sun during a heat wave. Stay safe and cool!