Heatwaves and child health: risks and precautions

27/02/26

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The effects of heat waves on humans can be unpleasant, especially in countries like India, where summers are predominant. Reportedly, India has experienced several hot weather spells over the last five years, pushing temperatures into dangerous zones.

For example, the time period between March and June in 2024 saw India reporting over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases and another 110 confirmed deaths. These statistics highlight the importance of preparedness and timely preventive action.  

For children, the risk is even higher as they dehydrate quickly and often cannot explain the symptoms until they get severe.

In this article, you will learn all about :

• What are heatwaves
• Heat wave causes and effects.
• The effects of heat waves on children
• The need for a Child Protection Policy for health emergencies

What Are Heatwaves?

Contrary to what many believe, heatwaves are not just “summer heat.” In fact, it is a prolonged period when you experience extremely high temperatures (both hot days and nights). What makes heatwaves concerning is the rising temperature that can have an unpleasant impact on the human body.

Causes and Effects of Heatwaves

Heatwaves are formed when hot air is trapped over a certain area due to persistent high-pressure systems. Usually, heat waves are formed when there are light winds and clear skies. While dry soil and low moisture further reduce natural cooling, cities tend to heat up faster, especially the concrete surfaces and areas that have fewer shaded areas.

However, there are some broad effects of heatwaves that go beyond discomfort. Multiple cases of heatwaves needing emergency medical attention lead to wider public health and social challenges.

• It puts strain on hospitals.
• It disrupts regular schooling.
• It reduces daily productivity at work.
• It puts stress on the power and water supply.
• It worsens air quality.
• It increases the risk of wildfire.

Critical Health Risks of Heat Waves

Due to extreme heat, human bodies can fail to cool down, and the blood circulation slows down, leading to symptoms like dizziness and nausea. These are primary signs of heatstroke and should be taken seriously.

Here are some of the most common heat-related health risks that you should know about.

• Dehydration (loss of fluids and salts from the body)
• Heat cramps (painful muscle cramps with sweating)
• Heat exhaustion (involves heavy sweating, nausea, fainting, and a fast heartbeat).
• Heatstroke (the most severe effect of a heat wave requiring emergency medical attention)

Effects of Heat Waves on Children

Children are most vulnerable to heat waves, especially those who play outdoors regularly or sleep in poorly ventilated rooms. What makes it risky is that children are often not in a position to fully explain the symptoms of heat waves when affected.

So, as a parent or caregiver, you need to pay attention if your children:

• I forgot to drink water.
• Continue to play out in the sun for extended periods
• Get dizzy, feel nauseated, or experience confusion.

Additionally, watch out for the early warning signs, like:

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth and sticky saliva
• Less urine passage (for infants, fewer wet diapers)
• Lethargy and irritability
• Unwanted rash and cramps

Note: Severe cases may show other symptoms like increased heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, and requiring immediate medical attention.

Emergency Response and When to Seek Help

Here is what you should do as an adult if children show symptoms of heat waves:

1. Move them to a shade or indoors immediately.
2. Remove extra clothes if any, and sponge with cold water. If they are alert, give them a cold drink (ORS works best in many cases)
3. If fainting occurs or you see confusion, difficulty in breathing, or vomiting, seek emergency help.

Child Protection Policy Against the Ill Effects of Heat Waves

Parents can do a lot to save their children from incidents of heat waves on the spot, but long-term safety should always be practised. A child protection policy against the ill effects of heat waves must be enforced across schools, community networks, and healthcare centres.

Here are some of the ways to implement a child protection policy against heat waves.

• Setting a safe timing for children to attend and leave school,especially during cooler hours of the day.
• Reduced outdoor activity during peak summers
• Organizing assemblies under shade
• Adding more drinking water points with the availability of ORS
• Trained staff to handle children affected by the heat wave
• Educating parents about how to protect children from heatwaves in summer through local language and community announcements
• Special attention to protect children from heat waves across low-income housing groups and migrant communities.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, heatwaves are a threat to humans, especially young children who go to school and often play outdoors. To make matters worse, there are several parts of India where hotter days and warmer nights add to the seasonal risk.

Nevertheless, we can all work together to protect children from being affected by heat waves. It includes the following simple protocols like encouraging children to drink more water during summers, spend more time under shade, and watch out for early symptoms of heatstroke. But parents at home alone cannot do much unless schools and communities come forward.

At Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Save the Children India), we work at the ground level to strengthen existing child protection systems and respond in cases of emergencies. like heatstroke for example. If you’re someone who genuinely cares about the health of children in India and wants to do something, this could be your chance. 

Join hands with Bal Raksha Bharat by making a small donation, and let’s create a safer and more supportive system to protect children from heat waves and any other emergencies.

Donate with Bal Raksha Bharat now!

Naveen Kumar

“Naveen is an SEO expert and digital marketing analyst at Bal Raksha Bharat with a passion for helping businesses grow online. With a data-driven approach, he specializes in boosting search rankings, driving traffic, and optimizing digital strategies. Follow for tips on SEO, content, and marketing trends."