Kids are out of school and the weather is scorching, which means summer must be here.
It’s important to know that with warm weather comes a danger to your kids: dehydration. The summer season is the absolute worst time in the year when it comes to dehydration, which can lead to serious health issues.
Hydration is especially important for children because their bodies are more prone to dehydration on account of the fact that they don’t cool as efficiency as adult bodies. So, it’s key that you keep fluids flowing to make up for the fluids that your kids are going to be losing through sweat.
Here’s what you need to know to keep your children safe.
Build Good Water Habits
Now is a great time to get your kids into good water habits.
A good water habit is to drink water whenever your body needs it – and before your body needs it. Your kids need to drink water with every meal at a minimum, but that won’t be enough if they’re outside at all.
So, encourage your kids to drink water every hour, on the hour, if they’re outside at all this summer. The more they’re outside, the more water they need to drink, and the more frequently they’ll need to drink it.
If you can get them to follow this routine, it’ll turn into a habit.
Avoid Certain Beverages
Keep your children away from drinks with caffeine in them, like soda or tea. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can increase the rate at which our bodies lose fluid and cause more dehydration.
Sugary drinks shouldn’t be consumed in any large quantity, either, so limit the amount of juice-flavored beverages your kids drink.
(Drinks like Gatorade are fine, though, as long as your kids drink water as well. Gatorade and other sports drinks have electrolytes, and kids love them, but they also have a lot of calories.)
Use Fruit as a Cool Snack
One great way to get your kids to hydrate is to feed them something most kids love: fruit!
Watermelon is mostly water and tastes delicious, and is something most kids will enjoy eating. Feel free to break out the watermelon as a cool summer treat whenever your kids will eat it.
Other fruits that have a high water content include strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, and oranges.
Keep your kids hydrated and you’ll help them have a blast this summer. Enjoy the months to come!
If you want to ensure your home or office stays stocked with pure drinking water, contact us – we’ll help your family stay safe and cool.