Heat waves are hitting metro Vancouver. Even with the heat, getting outside and staying active is essential. This is important to keep the summer barbecue weight gain off, to get your vitamin D, and to escape to the great outdoors for a break from reality. While outside in the sun, you may be taking steps to keep yourself safe during a heat wave, but what about the children that you are running with?
What are the Dangers of Turning in a Heat Wave?
Heatwaves can be dangerous, even if you’re careful. The dangers of turning in a heatwave cannot be understated. A heatwave is when the temperature goes over 99 degrees for three consecutive days. This summer, many cities have experienced heat waves, and knowing how to best prepare for one is essential. When exercising outdoors in extreme temperatures like these, you must take frequent breaks and ensure your children take regular intervals. When running in a heatwave, staying hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks is vital. But that’s not all: it is also necessary to dress appropriately for the weather and wear proper footwear with good traction.
Finally, seek shade! It’s easy to get sunburned during a heatwave, so ensure you’re taking care of your skin by wearing sunscreen and seeking shade whenever possible.
Importance of Hydration
The first thing to remember when running in the summer heat is to stay hydrated. You must drink plenty of water throughout your run and before you start. Don’t forget to drink water throughout your day, too. It would help if you also avoided drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. These drinks will dehydrate you and make it harder for your body to cool down if it gets hotter outside.
Children may be tucked away in their stroller, hanging on for deal life as you run down the street. Do you think they are okay in their shaded stroller or feel like a dog in a car park in the summer heat with a cracked window? Here are four keys to keeping your children safe and happy when running with you in a summer heatwave.
Remember the Goop
Often their feet hang out at the bottom of the stroller. Make sure you lather their legs and feet with solid suntan lotion to prevent a bad sunburn and a night without sleep.
Keep them Shaded
Just like parents, kids like the top down. When the sun is out blazing, keep the top up. This will keep eyes, skin, and bodies happy. Plus, it is easier for them to fall asleep while dad is doing all the work.
Load them up with Drinks
Make sure to bring two kinds of drinks they can drink and make sure they are excellent. Watch how much sugar they get, or they may get out of the stroller and start running past you.
Cool Mist
Load a refreshing squirt bottle that they can spray on themselves and you. This is an excellent way to keep refreshed and to keep the run fun. Just make sure your kids spread themselves or you. If not, they may start a water fight with people you pass by.
Now get out there and run! The heat is on, but this is not the time to hide away in the basement. It is essential to get outside still and exercise. When you go out to run with your kids, remember to keep them safe and have fun by slimming them up with sun goop, keeping the top up on the stroller, bringing them a cold one, and bringing the mist maker.
When the heat is on, one of the best ways to keep healthy and happy is to drink lots of fluids. During hot weather, dehydration is more likely because people sweat and don’t drink enough. Drinking more water or other liquids can help prevent heat-related illnesses like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. To avoid a trip to the E.R., it’s essential to drink plenty of fluids, wear sunscreen and stay in air-conditioned places. Packing a water bottle or two with you on your next trip outside will help you stay cool and hydrated.
P.S. – If you are a runner looking to run injury-free, make sure you look at the upcoming course, Injury-Free Running. Click Here to get details.
Click HERE to know more about 8 Fun Summer Activities to Get a Whole Body Workout
– Rick Kaselj
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