Keeping the Children Safe from Sun Stroke

The mercury has touched 44 degrees and it’s predicated to go even higher in the coming week. With the summer holidays just set in, mothers fear the most common consequences of heat exposure -sun strokes, nose bleeds, sun burn, appetite loss etc. Here are some ways to keep the kids safe from the sun stroke:

**Water**- Keeping the body hydrated is the key to withstand this scorching weather. Encourage your child to have as many glasses of water to avoid dehydration. Kids also sweat too much, hence it’s important to enrich their body with the right amount of salts and minerals. Drinks like lemon shikanji, watermelon juice, aam panna (recipe below) are tasty and also replaces the salt content in the body.

*How to make Aam Panna*

*Boil one-two raw mangoes also known as kachhi amiya in a pressure cooker. Wait for it to cool, then peel off the outer skin and grind it in a mixer. A smooth base is now prepared. Mix the right amount of sugar, black salt, dried pudina leaves and bhuna jeera. Aam Panna concentrate is now ready. Mix ¼th portion of the concentrate with ¾ th portion of water. Add ice.

Restrict outdoor timings- As difficult as it may sound, avoid the outdoors between 12 noon to 6 pm. Prevention is better than cure.*

**Light Diet**- Prepare foods that are light and are easily digestible. The exposure of heat tends to slow down the digestion process of the little ones, so its better keep it light. Avoid paranthas, puris, junk food etc and include more salads made with fruits and vegetables like cucumber, kakdi, tomatoes and onions. Include dahi in the daily diet which is a rich source of calcium and aids in digestion. Lassi and Chaach are other variants of dahi that are also considered healthy.

Maintain the temperature- Switch off the AC at least 15-20 minutes before heading outdoors. The same way, make sure kids naturally dry up their sweat after coming back from the park so that their body temperatures align to the room temperatures. Avoid drinking cold water from the fridge just after an outdoor session to avoid a sore throat or a runny nose.

**Clothing**-

Dress up your child in light coloured clothes preferably cotton. The clothes should be loose fitted so as to let the skin breathe. Easy strap on Velcro sandals are the best footwear for kids in summers. While stepping out cover their head by making them wear a cap or a hat. You can also get eye shades to protect them from the harmful UV rays.

**Swimming**- One of the best ways to beat the heat is to get into the pool. Have a plunge in the swimming at the end of the day. It’s a great form of exercise and kids love it. There are many small sized inflatable plastic tubs available in the market which can be placed indoors. Plan an indoor pool play date.

Beat the heat tip- Daily intake of onions reduce the chances of getting a sun stroke. While travelling in long journeys in a car, carry cut onions in zip locks. Placing them on the child’s forehead brings down the temperature instantly.