According to experts, applying sun cream isn’t enough and that both adults and children are still at risk of developing heat stroke.
Spotting signs such as dehydration can be life saving and can help you avoid unwanted trips to the hospital.
After a long day at the beach or the park both adults and kids are likely to be exhausted but it’s hard to tell whether you’re just tired or if you have heat stroke, so what are the signs?
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Headache
According to experts, heat exhaustion isn’t usually serious and most people can cool down within 30 minutes – but this could turn into heatstroke.
If you’ve been out all day in the sun then it’s likely that you’re feeling a little bit dehydrated and a headache is a side effect of this.
As an adult it’s easy to treat a headache as usually we would take some painkillers or rehydrate.
But children aren’t always able to take pain killers.
To help treat your child you can try an oral rehydration powder which can usually be purchased in most pharmacies.
Dizziness
If you’re feeling dizzy or confused then you may have developed heat stroke.
For adults, this is usually recognizable if you feel dizzy when you get up from sitting down.
Children may feel confused and if this is the case it’s key to help them relax so they don’t become agitated.
Help them to lie down and raise their legs.
Loss of appetite
During the summer months, it’s easy to forget to snack when we are out and about – but if you have completely lost your appetite then this could be a sign of heatstroke.
The heat can also make you feel sick which is also enough to put you off eating.
Try and eat something small which is easy to chew and swallow and that isn’t going to require too much effort.
Feeling sleepy
While symptoms of heatstroke for both adults and children are the same, experts say that children might become sleepy if they have heat stroke.
In order to cool them down, experts recommend that you “should spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them.
“Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good, too.”
If a child has developed heat stroke then it’s important that you stay with them until they are feeling better.
During hot weather or exercise there is an increased risk of heat stroke and children can be more prone to this as they are often running around or playing with their friends.
In order to prevent it make sure you top kids up with plenty of cold drinks while they are playing and adults also need to stay hydrated.
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Wearing light coloured clothing can also help as can taking cool baths or showers as this will help to regulate the temperature of the body.
There is an urge in the summer months to spend as much time outside as possible but you should avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm as this is when it is usually at its hottest.
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