CHILDREN'S SAFETY

Outdoor Safety For Daycare And Schools

Here are ideas and recommendations to cope with the hot and humid temperatures:

• Prepare activities that can be done while physically distancing outside (e.g., Simon Says or Freeze Dance).
• Set up break stations (may use cones, flags, or other visual cues to maintain the 2m distance). Break stations should ideally be in a shaded area and have hand sanitizer to wash hands when removing or putting on mask.
• Create small cohorts and have a mandatory rotation into the break area where the mask is removed to drink their water.
• Practice low intensity physical activities preferably in the shade.
• Avoid going outside between 10am and 2pm.
• Ensure that children remain well hydrated. Each child should have their own individual bottle.
• If children wear masks, bring 2 masks per child to allow change of mask if wet.
• Use sprinklers or water activities to cool down. They must be used by one child at a time to ensure physical distancing. Reapply sunscreen afterwards.

REMINDER: Children need additional attention and monitoring as they may not always recognize or be able to communicate the signs of heat-related symptoms

Car Safety

The temperature inside a car can heat up quickly, creating an environment that could seriously harm or even kill a child. When the outside air temperature is 23°C, the temperatures inside a vehicle can be extremely dangerous – more than 50°C. Opening the window slightly doesn’t keep the temperature at a safe level.

Why parked cars are dangerous

Young children, especially infants, are much more sensitive to heat than adults. Young children have a smaller body surface area and do not regulate their body temperatures as quickly as adults. Rising temperatures inside a car can produce significant heat stress on children, causing severe dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke that may result in serious illness or death.

What parents and caregivers need to know

• Never leave your child in an unattended car, even with the windows open. 
• Teach children not to play in, on or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks, when parked in the driveway or near your home so that children don’t play in them and become trapped.
• Check to make sure that all children leave the vehicle when you arrive at your destination. Don't overlook sleeping infants and young children.
• Check the temperature of your child's safety seat surface and safety belt buckles before putting your child in the car. Your child's skin can be severely burned in one second if it touches car seat surfaces that are over 65°C.
• Keep car keys out of reach and sight of children.
• If your child gets locked inside a car, call 911 immediately.

Watch for symptoms of heat-related illnesses

• Dizziness or fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Rapid breathing and heartbeat
• Extreme thirst
• Decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine

If your child experiences any of these symptoms move them to a cool place and offer water. If the symptoms continue, call 911 immediately.