As temperatures continue to rise across the UK, sleeping, working and going about daily life can become more challenging.
As adults adjust their lifestyles to stay comfortable and safe during the summer months, children may need extra support too. Paediatrician Ranj Singh explains: “Children have a larger skin surface area relative to their body weight, meaning they gain heat from the environment more quickly and can also lose water more rapidly than adults.”
He continues: “Their temperature-regulating systems are still developing, meaning they don’t regulate their body temperature as efficiently as adults, particularly younger children and babies.
“Also, younger children may not recognise when they’re overheating, or be able to communicate it, especially if they have extra needs. People often confuse children for small adults, but this is a mistake.”
Here, Dr Ranj has compiled his advice on how adults can help children stay happy and healthy as we enter another heatwave, and the mistakes to avoid.
