BEAT THE HEAT

1. Keep your house cool-Leave windows with screens open all night if possible to allow the cool evening breeze to lower the temperature of your home. When the sun rises, close all windows, curtains and shades. With windows and doors closed, you can keep a fair amount of the heat out and enjoy an environment ten to fifteen degrees cooler.
    
2. Always have lots of beverages on hand. -Drinks containing caffeine should be limited, as they will actually dehydrate your child.

3. Let them sleep late, if at all possible. -Often when nights are too warm to sleep, the most comfortable hours come in the morning. A few extra hours of shut-eye on the other end of the clock is a smart way to let them do some catching up on that much required sleep. Not to mention you get a few extra hours of quiet time!
    
4. Monitor the use of fans. -When the temperature is 95 degrees or more, and the humidity sits at 50 percent, medical experts say our sweat can't evaporate properly with a fan nearby. Window fans and breeze boxes are most effective when used in early morning and late evening.
    
5. Get information about your child's medications. -Some medications can increase the risk of heat stroke and unusual side effects. Ask your child's pediatrician if their medication has potential side effects or carries a warning against excessive sun or heat.
    
6. Keep your eye on them when they play. -Your kids may run too hard, which can bring on heat exhaustion. If your child begins to show signs of weakness, dizziness, profuse sweating or nausea, immediately move the child to the coolest place you can find, and give him or her plenty of fluids (preferably water). If they show no signs of improvement, your child may be suffering from heat stroke, in which case you should promptly seek medical attention for them.
    
7. Dress them in light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. -Darker shades reflect the sun and hold in the heat. Lightweight cotton and jersey are always favorites during the summer months. Avoid bulky jeans, sweatshirts and overalls that make up too many layers and do not allow the skin to breathe.
    
8. Avoid afternoon heat. -Try to keep the kids somewhere cool during the hottest part of the day. Usually between noon and 4 p.m.
    
9. Eat light. -Try to avoid serving your children hot, heavy meals. Besides being too hot to cook, hot foods will only increase body temperature, and heavy foods require the digestive system works harder, using up body resources needed to handle the heat. Try to eat foods high in water content such as fruits, salads and soups. Avoid foods high in calories, since calories are literally a measurement of heat energy.
    
10. Give them cool baths and showers. -Because water conducts heat away from the body, bathing your child in tepid water is a great way to cool him or her down. Parents quick with a sprinkler or hose in the back yard can offer a fun summertime solution to the bathtub-shy.