School Heat Illness Prevention Newsletter: Keeping Students Safe When Temperatures Rise

Heat illness in children is preventable. Most cases at school occur because students were not adequately hydrated before the activity, were pushed to continue exercising in heat beyond what their bodies could manage, or were wearing clothing that did not allow them to cool. A newsletter that addresses these factors gives families and the school community the tools to prevent what is entirely avoidable.

How Children Are Different From Adults in Heat

Children are more vulnerable to heat illness than adults. They generate more heat per unit of body mass during exercise, sweat less efficiently, and are less likely to stop activity voluntarily when they are overheating. This means the responsibility for monitoring heat safety falls more heavily on adults than it would with older athletes or workers.

Families who understand this are more motivated to send water bottles, send lightweight clothing, and make sure their child ate breakfast and drank before arriving at school on hot days.

Hydration Basics

Send a large, filled water bottle every day during warm weather. This is not advice; it is a practical requirement. Many students do not drink enough from school fountains alone, particularly during busy school days when fountain access is limited.

Students involved in sports, PE, or other physical activities in heat should drink water before, during, and after the activity. Thirst is a late indicator of dehydration. By the time a student says they are thirsty during exercise in heat, they are already mildly dehydrated.

Recognizing Heat Illness

Heat cramps, the mildest form, cause muscle pain during or after exercise in heat. Heat exhaustion is more serious: the student looks pale, sweaty, and may feel dizzy or nauseated. These symptoms require immediate removal from the heat and fluid replacement.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. The student's skin may be hot and dry or still sweaty, but their body temperature is dangerously high and they may be confused, unresponsive, or unconscious. Call 911 immediately and cool the student as rapidly as possible while waiting for help to arrive.

What the School Does on High-Heat Days

State the school's heat policy clearly. When the heat index exceeds the school's outdoor activity threshold, recess and PE may move indoors. Athletic practices may be shortened or moved to early morning or evening hours. Families whose children have medical conditions that affect heat tolerance, including certain cardiac conditions, obesity, or medications that affect sweating, should ensure the nurse has this information before warm weather begins.

Clothing and Preparation for Hot School Days

Lightweight, light-colored, breathable fabrics are more appropriate for hot weather than dark, heavy materials. Hats with brims protect students during outdoor activities. Sunscreen applied before school protects students during outdoor recess and PE. A child who arrives at school dressed for a cool morning but then has outdoor PE in 90-degree afternoon heat is at preventable risk.