As the summer heatwave continues, Roger Hadley, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning has urged parents to be wary of health risks to babies.
Cllr Hadley (left) said: “It is so important to protect babies and young children in this warm weather, I urge all parents to take note of this advice.”
Southend Council and the Local Safeguarding Children Board have issued the following pointers to parents, taken from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths:
The room the baby sleeps in will be cooler by bedtime if you make sure to open all the windows and close the curtains in the day.
You should use as few clothes or bedclothes as possible and it is important to know the coolest area in your house to take the baby to ‘cool off’ if necessary.
When you are outside ALWAYS use a high-factor sunblock on babies and make sure they do not directly face the sun.
This can mean covering them with a parasol or dressing them in a sun-hat. Loose fitting cotton clothes are also recommended to reduce heat intake.
NEVER leave a baby in the car even if you’re ‘popping into the shop for five minutes’.
It is also recommended to equip car windows with window shades to block the sun rays (particularly next to the baby) and any windows without shades should be open.
Finally, regularly offer water to the baby as it is very dangerous for them to become dehydrated. Also, it is advised in very hot weather to sponge the baby down regularly with slightly warm water.
