Protect your child from the sun and heat

Drink a lot

Children are often
less thirsty than adults.
Or they forget to drink something while playing
.
But children's bodies
need plenty of fluids in hot weather.

Therefore, make sure:
Children
need todrink enough in hot weather.
Ideally water or sparkling water.

When it is very hot

It is particularly hot at midday.
It is best to stay indoors with babies
and small children.
If you are outside with children
:
Go into the shade.

Small children and babies
must not

• lie in the sun
• play in the sun.

Sun protection

That's important outside:

• 
  The child's head
  must be covered.
  Put a sun hat or
  a cap on your child.
  Make sure:
  The child should not take off the cap or
  the hat.
• The bright sunlight can damage
  eyes.
  That's why your child needs
  sunglasses.
• Apply cream to your child.
  Pay attention to this:
  There is a number on the sun cream
  .
  The number shows how long
  the cream protects the skin.
  The number is also called
  Light Protection Factor.
  The Light Protection Factor must be
  for children at least 30 .

Caution:
Even if your child is wearing
cream:
The child should not be in the sun for too long
.

Remember:

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
it is very hot in summer.
Then your children can play or rest better
inside.

It's cooler in the mornings and evenings, even on hot days.

This is a good time
to play and run around.

It gets very hot very quickly in the car
.
This is dangerous for children.

Attention:
Never leave your child alone in the car when it is hot
.
Not even for a short time.
Your child can die
in a hot car.

In summer,
splashing around in the water is great.
The children play
and cool off.
But something can also happen while
doing so.

You must pay attention to this:
Do not let your child
play alone in the water.
Because small children can also
drown in shallow water.

And:
The water makes
the sun's rays stronger.
Your child will quickly get a sunburn in the water
.
Please apply cream to the child immediately
when it comes out of the water.

Children sleep best in the
coolestroom in the home.
Because it shouldnot be too warm to sleep at
.
Please pay attention to this too:

• Your child should only wear light clothes to sleep
  .
  For example, an undershirt.
  A sleep suit
  is often far too warm.
• Cover the child
  only lightly.
  For example with a bed sheet.

The sunstroke

Here is an example:
Your child has been playing in the sun without a cap
for a long time.
Now the child feels bad.
Perhaps your child
has a sunstroke.

• The child's head is red
  and feels hot .
• The skin feels normal.
• The child has no fever.
• The child is restless.
• The child is sick.
• The child must vomit.
• The child has a headache.
• The child has ear pain.
• The child has a
  stiff neck.
• The child is slightly dizzy.

• Get the child
  out of the sunimmediately .
• Cool your head and the
  neck with wet cloths.
• Let the child drink.
• Reassure the child.
• Do not leave the child alone.

In most cases, the child
will soon feel better again.
You do not need to call the doctor.

But:
If the child becomes unconscious
youmust call the doctor.

Your child may have
a heat stroke.
A heat stroke is
worse than a sunstroke.
These are the on signs:

• The child's head is red
  and feels hot .
• The skin feels hot
  and dry.
• The child has a headache.
• The child walks unsteadily.
• The child develops a fever.
• The child is not
  properly responsive.

That's the most important thing now:

• Call the emergency doctor immediately .
  Tell him that your child
  has a heat stroke.
• Get the child
  out of the sunimmediately .
• Put
  the child's legs up.
• Cool your head and
  the back of your neck with wet cloths.
• If possible:
  Let the child drink.
• Reassure the child.
• Do not leave the child alone.
• If the child
  is very unwell:
  Provide first aid.
  If you do not know
  how to do this:
  Get help.