Heat Wave Safety Tips for Students: 7 Things to Remember for School Travel

“Mumma, today Rahul collapsed on the way to school. We helped him, and I provided some water.” My nephew was narrating this incident to his mother.

IMD has announced that severe heatwave alert conditions affect many parts of India. This is a significant concern for everyone, especially students, who are among the most vulnerable to heat stroke. Ensuring their safety during daily activities, like their journey to and from school, becomes paramount. As parents, we need to be proactive in protecting them. Let us uncover 7 vital heat wave safety tips for students to ensure a safe way to commute to school.

IMD heat wave guidance

Understanding the Danger: Severe Heatwave Alert and Kids’ School Travel

Severe heat isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous for children. Their bodies heat up faster than adults’, and they may not always recognise or communicate when they get too hot. On their way to school, kids might be walking or biking under the hot sun, waiting at a bus stop with little shade, or sitting in a potentially warm vehicle.

This exposure can quickly lead to problems like dehydration (losing too much water), heat exhaustion (feeling weak, dizzy, and sweaty), and even heatstroke, a very serious condition that needs immediate medical help. Also, don’t forget the risk of sunburn from prolonged sun exposure. Understanding these dangers makes it clear why taking precautions for their safe school travel during a severe heatwave is so important.

How does your child commute to school?

Before adopting any of the below-mentioned tips, parents can focus on which tip is suitable for them. For this, they need to first analyse how their child commutes to school every day.

Whether they walk, cycle, or use other modes of travel, like bus/car. Parents can then pick and choose the best suitable option to prevent their children from severe heat waves during school travel.

Top 7 Heat wave safety tips for students during school travel

What to wear? 

School uniforms are standard within the school premises. The challenge arises during their commute, especially on hotter afternoons.

School uniforms are generally half-sleeved. Kids in the junior section have knee-length uniforms. Hence, half of their bodies are directly exposed to the sun.

If your child commutes to school by walking or cycling, an alternative set of clothes can do wonders during a severe heat wave alert.

You can opt for light coloured, loose-fit, breathable material like cotton/linen. Keep this inside their school bag or take it along with you (if you drop them off at school). 

Light coloured clothes reflect heat better than darker ones. Loose-fitted clothes allow air to circulate. Synthetic fabrics trap heat; hence, cotton/linen are the best options.

Kids can either change in the school washroom or can directly wear them over the uniform.

Also Read: AI in Education: What parents need to know

What to drink?

You can encourage kids to make it a habit to drink water before they leave home. This will not only help them prevent heat stroke but will also keep them hydrated. Encourage them to take small, frequent sips throughout their journey, even if they don’t feel thirsty.

Students can refill their water bottles before leaving school. They can drink water on their way home.

It’s also crucial to remind them that while packaged drinks like juice/soda are tempting, they are not as effective for hydration as plain water and can even have the opposite effect.

You can also put a packet of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) inside their school bags. Kids can directly pour it into their water bottles and drink in case they sense any signs of dehydration/heat stroke.

What can protect?

A wide-brimmed hat or a cap offers simple yet effective protection for their face, ears, and neck.

You can also ask kids to cover their faces with a handkerchief, a cotton dupatta (long scarf).

A bandana can be the perfect mask for their head.

Don’t forget sunglasses with UV protection to safeguard their eyes from harmful rays.

Above all these is an umbrella. It gives all-around protection to your kid’s body from the sun’s rays.

Ensure you apply a good quality, broad-spectrum baby sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin at least 15 to 30 minutes before they head out the door. Since children have very sensitive skin, always apply a good kids’ special sunscreen. I have listed a few for you.

Here are some more favourable mentions of baby sunscreen:

• Healthbest Kids Watermelon Cooling Sunscreen
• CITTA Baby & Kids Sunscreen 
• o’mumsie No Tan Baby Sunscreen

Also Read: Best Diapers For Sensitive Skin

With whom to go?

Children who walk or bike to school can travel with a friend or in a small group. This buddy system offers an extra layer of safety. Not only does it make the journey more enjoyable, but having someone else around means they can keep an eye on each other. If one child starts to feel unwell due to the heat wave, their friend can offer assistance or seek help.

Also Read: Discuss Good Touch with kids

How to go?

Have you ever felt relieved when you walk under a shade in summer’s heat? How wonderful it feels, even if it might last for a few minutes. It can be the same for your kids, too. And even better, as they have to commute twice daily! 

All you need to do is plan the safest (sometimes the shortest) routes for your kids to commute to school. Prioritise paths that offer as much shade as possible from trees and buildings. Try to avoid routes with long, exposed stretches and busy roads where the heat from exhaust fumes can add to the discomfort and risk.

Do you know?

This is not just a suggestion or a tip. It’s a critical safety rule that can be life-saving, especially during this severe heat wave alert. Even on a day that might feel only moderately warm outside, the temperature inside a closed car can skyrocket to high levels within mere minutes. Therefore, never, under any circumstances, leave your child unattended in a parked vehicle, even for a short period. The risk of heatstroke and tragic consequences is simply too high.

What to do?

Even if you follow all the heat wave safety tips for students, there might be a chance that they get heat stroke. Even worse, when they are alone in this situation. You can prepare them for this in advance at home.

Train them on whom to contact in case of an emergency. This could be a trusted neighbour along their route, a designated family friend, or a close relative. Ensure they have important phone numbers memorised or perhaps written down and kept in their bag. 

What are the signs to know?

If a child in the buddy system feels unwell due to the heat, their friend can offer immediate support or seek help. It’s also vital to know the early signs of overheating. Teach them to recognise and act on heat wave safety tips. These include signs of feeling dizzy or lightheaded, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, excessive sweating or a lack of it, and skin that feels very hot and might appear red or pale. If these signs occur at school, ask children to report this immediately to a teacher, school staff, or another trusted adult right away. 

Have you seen?

Stay updated on the latest severe heatwave alerts by regularly checking the official websites and social media of your local meteorological department. Local news channels and weather apps are also good sources of information. Knowing when a heatwave is predicted will allow you to prepare in advance and reinforce these safety tips with your children.

Additional Tips

• Turn off the AC. To prevent kids from sudden heat exposure, it is advisable to turn the AC off at least 10 minutes before leaving home. This will help their bodies to be in sync with the atmospheric temperature.
• Carry a small cloth or hand towel. You can damp it and use it anywhere. This will give kids instant relief from the heat. It can be used to wipe their face and neck, providing a bit of evaporative cooling relief during their journey.
• Electrolyte Considerations (for Longer Commutes or Older Kids). Ors can be beneficial both at home and during the school commute. For older children or those with longer commutes, especially if they sweat a lot, Ors replenish salts lost through sweat. However, plain water should remain the primary source of hydration.
• Recognise the Impact of Humidity: Explain to your child that even if the temperature doesn’t feel overwhelmingly high, the high humidity makes it harder for their bodies to cool down through sweating. This means they need to be extra vigilant about staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous activity during their commute.
• Consider After-School Cooling Strategies: Once your child returns home, have a plan for them to cool down effectively. This could include a cool shower or bath (after a while), resting for a while or having a cool, light snack like watermelon or cucumber.

Real help to and for parents

Ensuring your child’s safe way to school during a severe heatwave can be challenging. You might need to adjust your schedule, coordinate with other parents for carpooling, or have open conversations with school authorities about safety measures. Consider the specific way your child travels to school and tailor these tips accordingly. For bus riders, check if the bus is air-conditioned; if not, check whether the windows are in good condition. For those in cars, pre-cool the car before they get in and ensure they have access to water.

Conclusion

Prioritising your child’s well-being during a severe heatwave requires consistent effort. Let us begin with these vital heat wave safety tips for students during their school commute. By making these precautions a routine, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with extreme heat and ensure their safe travel. Share these vital tips with other parents in your community! What other strategies do you use to keep your kids safe during a heatwave? Leave a comment below! Check out our related articles on parenting, childcare and motherhood.

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