File photo used for representational purposes.
Doha: As schools close for the long summer holidays and temperatures continue to rise, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is urging the public to be extra vigilant in safeguarding themselves and their household, especially children from heat-related illnesses, which are more prevalent during the hotter months.
The Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) of HMC’s Hamad Trauma Center, a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Trauma, has issued a list of best practices to keep residents in Qatar safe in the hot weather.
Medical experts at HMC emphasise that children are especially vulnerable to high temperatures and humidity.
Assistant Director of the Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) at Hamad Trauma Center (HTC), Dr. Aisha Abeid highlights that children’s bodies do not adjust to environmental changes as efficiently as adults do.
“It’s important for parents to ensure that any outdoor activities take place during cooler parts of the day or in shaded or air-conditioned areas,” said Dr. Abeid.
She noted that children’s bodies can heat up five times faster than those of adults, making them more prone to heat stress and related complications.
“High temperatures can be dangerous for anyone, but for children, the risk is significantly greater,” she added.
These risks are not confined to children only.
‘The elderly or those with co-morbidities or chronic disease are as vulnerable as young children if they stay outdoor at the heat peak hours between 10am- 4pm’ said Dr. Abeid.
Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly and may present symptoms such as elevated body temperature, clammy skin, irritability, excessive thirst or sweating, headaches, dizziness, or weakness.
If left untreated, these can progress to more severe conditions such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
To help families enjoy the summer safely, HMC advises that children never be left unsupervised outdoors and that caregivers adopt practical preventive measures, especially when heading to beaches, parks, or swimming pools.
Dr. Abeid suggests that children should wear light-colored, breathable clothing and be kept well hydrated, with access to shade and regular breaks from the heat.
Dr. Abeid recommends using proven ‘SMART’ techniques to help reduce your family’s risk of heat-related illness, especially during extreme weather conditions.
First and foremost, staying hydrated is essential—both adults and children should drink plenty of fluids, as sweating causes the body to lose vital salts and minerals.
When children play outdoors, they should be supervised at all times so any early signs of heat-related illness can be recognized and addressed quickly.
It’s also important to monitor local weather conditions using any reliable weather app; stay alert for heat warnings, especially when temperatures exceed 40–45°C or humidity levels rise above 50%.
Avoid exposing your family to unshaded areas or heat-absorbing surfaces like asphalt, concrete, or dark and reflective materials.
Ensure everyone takes regular breaks during outdoor activities—every 30 minutes—by moving to shaded or air-conditioned spaces and drinking cool fluids every 15 minutes.
Wipe away sweat, offer cool towel wipes, and change into dry clothes if needed.
