Urgent warning to any parents cooling their kids off in the garden in the heatwave | The Sun

PARENTS have been warned over the hidden dangers threatening kids playing in the heatwave.

We all want to have fun in the sun, but as temperatures rise this week it's important we keep an eye out on little ones.

While you might think using water is a good idea when it comes to cooling people down, it's important to always be safe.

That's because water left sat in a hose pipe, can heat up during high temperatures.

One mum-of-three previously issued a heart-breaking plea to all parents, after a little boy was left with second degree burns one summer.

Stacey, who runs Daisy First Aid Redhill & Croydon told how the baby suffered second-degree burns over 30 per cent of his body from being accidentally sprayed with a garden hose.

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She posted the warning from firefighters.

"A garden hose exposed to direct sunlight during the summer can heat the water inside the hose (not flowing) to 130-140 degrees Farenheit [54-60C] which can cause burns especially to children and animals.

"'Let the water flow a few minutes to cool before spraying on people or animals.'"

Speaking to The Sun, Dr Sarah Carlick, director of the Athena Programme, which specialises in the training of safeguarding children said making sure your family is prepared for the heat is key.

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"If the kids are properly covered up, for example with a t-shirt, a hat and factor 50 – it could maybe prevent something like this happening again."

WATER DANGER

During the heatwave being seen across the country, fire departments have warned about further dangers of letting children cool off in the water.

Moreno Francioso from Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service said: “Every summer, our service attends incidents involving people who have attempted to swim in open water.

“Please think twice before you get into deep water and not only put your life at risk, but also the lives of our firefighters or passers-by, who go in to try and rescue you. The only safe option is to avoid open water swimming entirely.”

Experts at the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) have also taken to social media to warn parents of the potential dangers children face during the sunny weather.

What to do if your child experiences burns

Here we look at the advice from St John Ambulance around the different types of burns.

What to look for: 

• red skin and swelling 
• pain in the area of the burn 
• blistering may start to appear. 

How to treat minor burns and scalds: 

1. Cool the burn or scald quickly
   Hold it under cool running water for at least 20 minutes or until the pain feels better 
2. Remove jewellery or clothing. Do this before the area begins to swell, unless it's stuck to the burn. 
3.  When the burn has cooled, cover the area loosely with clingfilm lengthways.  
4. Do not break blisters and don’t use ice, creams or gels. They may cause damage and increase the risk of infection. 

Sue, a nurse and burns specialist said you should also be wary when children are around barbecues.

She said: "When you have them on the sand or on the mud, when you move them away and go to put them somewhere safe the ground where they have been stays hot for a long time, as does the edge of the barbecue.

"Always have someone ready standing beside it, allocate someone to be on kiddy watch for the children running around the garden."

BURNING UP

Dr Carlick also previously highlighted the importance of keeping kids safe in the sun.

The safeguarding expert said severe sunburn is a child protection issue, and highlighted that just being burnt once could increase your little one's risk of illness.

Dr Carlick highlighted that severe sunburn is when the burn is so bad it blisters.

However, she said that all sun damage could prove fatal down the line.

She explained: "If someone gets really red or pink and they do that maybe once or twice a year, then they are constantly increasing their risk of that skin cancer growing.

"You might think, 'Oh, they are just a little bit pink, it doesn't matter', but it really does.

"It compounds year on year."

THROWING SHADE

During hot spells, it might also be tempting to cover your little one's pram with fabric to shield them from the sun, but experts also advice against this.

Instead you should use a parasol or sunshade clipped to the side of the pushchair.

Gurus at the Lullaby Trust said overheating increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The National Childbirth Trust said it's a good idea to keep your baby out of direct sunlight and in a cooler place from 11am to 3pm – when the heat is strongest.

"When you’re out and about, try and find a shady spot to sit or walk in.

"Although putting a covering like a muslin or a blanket over the buggy might seem like a good idea to keep the sun off your baby, it stops the air circulating and can make them too hot."

OVERHEATING

Medics said parents and carers should make sure children are given plenty of water and are able to play in cool areas.

Sun cream should also be applied liberally, they said, in order to avoid issues such as sunburn and sunstroke.

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: "Don't allow your children to stay in the sun for long periods – and never leave them in a car on a hot day.

"Resting in the shade and finding cool places is important.

"The first sign that a child is overheating is when they become grumpy or complain of a headache.

If this happens, get them into a shaded place that is as cool as possible.

"Remove any clothing you can, give them water to drink and get them to rest."

The Met Office said: "Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.

"Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol, dress appropriately for the weather and slow down when it is hot."

AVOID VIGOROUS EXERCISE

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have warned schools and parents to avoid letting children undertake "vigorous physical activity" when temperatures exceed 30C.

It said children should also be kept out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when it is hottest.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the hot weather when it arrives.

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"But also to check in on their vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make sure they are prepared for the warm conditions ahead.

“High temperatures are predicted for a prolonged period, so make sure to follow our simple health advice to beat the heat, such as covering windows exposed to direct sunlight and making sure that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly.”

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