Why This Heat Wave Puts Kids at Greater Risk

The extreme heat forecast across much of the United States this week poses a particular health danger for kids, who are more susceptible to extreme temperatures.

In Minneapolis and Chicago, the heat index -- or what the temperature feels like with humidity -- has already reached triple digits, and the heat will continue to spread from the Great Lakes to the South and the central Gulf Coast in the coming days. Later in the week, as the Fourth of July holiday approaches, the heat index is forecast to rise along the Eastern Seaboard, from New York to Florida.

A heat index of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or above can lead to heat-related illnesses when people are exposed to the temperature for an extended period of time or when doing physical activity in the heat, according to the National Weather Service.

Why are kids more at risk in extreme temperatures?

Children are more susceptible than adults to the health effects of extreme heat because they cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

When it comes to extreme heat, children may become sick quickly and suffer health effects including heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heatstroke, according to the AAP.

Children with asthma are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures and poor air quality and should take special precautions, including staying in air conditioning when possible and having medication ready, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Heat-related symptoms to watch for in kids

Symptoms of heat-related illness to watch for in babies and kids include faintness, extreme tiredness, a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above, intense thirst, headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, hyperventilation and skin numbness or tingling, according to the AAP.

If a child is showing symptoms of heat-related illness, they should be brought to a cool place and provided with cool water or a sports drink that contains electrolytes. After consuming fluids, a child can eat salty foods like pretzels or potato chips, according to the AAP.

Other tips include taking off a child's clothes and/or applying a cold wet towel or sponge to their skin to help regulate their body temperature.

Medical attention should be sought if a child is unable to consume fluids, has a temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, does not seem to be improving, is losing alertness or has prolonged muscle cramps, according to the AAP.

How to protect kids from heat

Parents and caregivers should do their best to keep kids indoors and in air-conditioned areas in periods of extreme heat, and never leave a child alone in the car.

It's also recommended that kids stay well-rested and hydrated, focusing on water intake for children ages 6 months and older.

Kids between the ages of 1 to 3 need around four cups of fluids per day -- which can be water or milk -- while kids ages 4 to 8 need around five cups of fluids per day. Kids ages 8 and older need to drink seven to eight cups of fluids per day, according to the AAP. The total amount though, may need to increase based on high temperatures.

The NWS also recommends eating cool foods -- like fruits and vegetables -- to help beat the heat, as well as dressing kids in loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing and making sure they are wearing SPF for sun protection.

Cool baths and showers can also be a way to cool kids' body temperatures. If spending time in the pool, make sure to supervise your children to prevent drowning.

Parents and caregivers can also plan ahead for potential heat-related dangers by entering their zip code in the CDC's HeatRisk tool to see the heat index in their area.