Summer is made for running through sprinklers, riding bikes and spending long afternoons in the sun. Outdoor play is an important part of any kid’s childhood — especially in Colorado, where sunshine is never in short supply. But when temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses. Some days can get especially hot, and while it’s great for kids to be active outside, their bodies can’t handle heat the same way adult bodies do.

Children aren’t able to cool themselves down as quickly as adults, and the way they breathe and move through the world just makes it a little harder to get rid of extra heat from their bodies. Kids also spend more time outside than a typical adult — playing on blacktop, running across hot fields and jumping around on a playground. These fun activities combined with a hot summer day can lead to some scary symptoms.

Since babies and younger children can’t always express how they’re feeling or remove themselves from a hot environment, they’re even more vulnerable. It can be difficult for caregivers to recognize symptoms of heat exhaustion, but it’s important to be prepared for any warning signs.

Teenagers also face serious heat risks, especially those who are involved in sports. Teen athletes often practice or compete during the hottest parts of the day, and may feel pressure to push through early symptoms of heat illness. That’s why it’s important to recognize the risks in kids of all ages.

“One of the most important things with kids in the heat is prevention,” says Nikita Habermehl, DO, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Avoiding heatstroke and heat exhaustion

When it comes to heat-related illnesses, prevention is the most powerful tool caregivers have. That starts with understanding your child’s unique risks and planning ahead, especially on days when the forecast calls for high temperatures.

Know your child’s health history

If you have concerns about how your child may handle the summer heat, bring it up at your next doctor’s visit. Your child’s doctor can explain the early warning signs of a problem and help you understand any factors that could increase your child’s risks of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

One thing to consider is whether your child has any breathing-related conditions. “There’s a very clear link between high heat days and more air pollution,” Dr. Habermehl says. “The air quality is significantly worse on higher heat days.”

This means that children with asthma, cystic fibrosis or other lung conditions may be more likely to struggle in extreme heat. The same is true for kids born prematurely, children who take stimulant medications, and teenagers who vape or use illicit drugs. These factors make it harder for the body to cool down or breathe properly in hot conditions.

The importance of hydration

No matter your child’s health background, Dr. Habermehl says that hydration is key. Make water the go-to drink, especially before outdoor play or sports practices. Avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages, which can make dehydration worse.

You can also help prevent overheating by choosing the timing of outdoor activities carefully. Try to plan family outings during the early morning or evening when the sun is lower and the temperatures are cooler. If your child is going to be outside during hotter hours, stay near air-conditioned spaces or settle down in shaded areas. A handheld fan and a spray bottle filled with water can go a long way in helping kids stay cool and comfortable.

Clothing matters too, especially for young children. Dress them in loose-fitting, light-colored clothes. Add a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect their skin and eyes. And even if you’re only leaving for a few minutes, never leave a child unattended in a car.

Teen athletes — who often practice during the hottest parts of the day — also need special attention. Parents and caregivers should advocate for more hydration breaks, shaded rest areas and practice times outside of peak heat hours. Caregivers can also encourage their teens to speak up about how they’re feeling, even if symptoms seem minor.

 “Sometimes athletes start to feel nauseous or have a little bit of a headache from the heat, and they want to push through,” Dr. Habermehl says. “But the longer they push through, the worse symptoms can become.”

Understanding the range from heat exhaustion to heat stroke

Heat-related illnesses build across a range of symptoms, starting with mild signs of discomfort to potentially life-threatening situations. Recognizing where your child may be within that range is key to knowing how to respond and when to seek medical help.

First, it is important to know that heat-related illness is not the same thing as a fever. Because of this, medicines that treat fevers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, will not help with heat-related illnesses.

Dr. Habermehl says that symptoms of all heat-related illnesses start out similarly, but if you don’t recognize them quickly, they can build on each other and become more dangerous. 

Children with mild heat illness may show slight discomfort in the heat. This happens because a child loses water and salt through sweat, causing muscles to cramp up and spasm. “These discomforts are mild and generally something children can recover from quickly,” Dr. Habermehl says.

Next is heat exhaustion, which usually appears when the body has lost too much fluid and salt but hasn’t yet reached a dangerous internal temperature. Some symptoms may be nausea, stomach aches or headaches, along with cramps and muscle spasms throughout the body. Your child will likely urinate less often at this point, but they should not have any changes to their mental status. They should be fully aware and know things like their name, who they’re with and where they are at.

If the body doesn’t cool down, symptoms can get worse and turn into heatstroke — the most serious form of heat-related illness. This is when the body’s internal temperature gets above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. “This is very toxic to the body and is an emergency situation,” Dr. Habermehl explains.

At this point, a child may seem very confused or even unresponsive. In the emergency department, doctors will often note a dangerously fast heart rate, rapid breathing and low blood pressure. Depending on the severity of their condition, heatstroke can even progress to seizures or a coma. That’s why it’s critical to take action right when you notice a change in your child’s mental state.

When to act and what treatment looks like

If your child starts showing any mild signs of heat-related illness, the most important thing is to take them out of the hot environment. If your home has air-conditioning, go there or find somewhere closer where your child can cool down.

Once you are out of the heat, start to cool your child’s body off by spraying them with cool water and then using a fan on them. You can also put them into a cold bath or shower or put ice packs underneath their armpits or near their groin. At the same time, offer plenty of fluids to your kid — preferably water or electrolyte drinks.

If symptoms aren’t improving or you aren’t sure how serious they are, call your child’s doctor or a nurse help line. They can walk you through the steps of what to do at home and when to go to the emergency room.

Some situations require emergency care right away. Look for signs of internal body temperatures over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, confusion, slurred speech or fainting. If you notice these symptoms, call 911 or take your child to an emergency department right away.

Once at a hospital, care teams will assess the situation and begin treatment based on how severe the symptoms are. This will likely involve checking vital signs, obtaining labs, and possibly starting a child on IV fluids. Doctors will perform a full physical exam to ensure that the heart, lungs and neurological responses are working OK.

Heat-related illness can be scary, but with preparation and quick action, most cases are completely treatable. Whether your child is a toddler playing in the backyard or a teen athlete out on the field, knowing the warning signs and taking early steps to cool down can make all the difference.