Arizona is consistently one of the driest, most arid states in the U.S., with summer temperatures ranging from 90 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, it can be difficult for parents, especially those with small children, to find places where their kids can play outdoors without fear of them overheating. At the same time, most parents don’t want to keep their kids indoors during the summer and keep them from having fun with their peers. Fortunately, there are many best practices that parents can follow to help ensure the safety of their children playing outdoors during the summer on the commercial playground equipment Arizona offers. Moreover, there are several types of Arizona commercial playground equipment available that allow kids to play outside while keeping them safe from the harsh effects of the heat.
Let’s look at some risks associated with playing outside in temperatures of 100+ degrees, as well as a few types of Arizona playground equipment that can help keep children from overheating while at play.
According to Mayo Clinic , heat exhaustion is defined as “a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating.” Some common symptoms include heavy sweating, fatigue, and dizziness, all of which should be taken seriously if and when parents notice them in their children playing outdoors. Since kids under age 4 have a higher risk of heat exhaustion, it’s all the more important for parents of small children to help them mitigate the harsh effects of the summer dry heat in Arizona. Some practices that parents can use to help prevent heat exhaustion include:
One of the tell-tale reactions to a hot environment is heavy sweating, which results in the body losing large amounts of water. The best way to counteract this is to replace lost water by adequately hydrating. The CDC recommends drinking eight ounces (or one cup) of water every 15-20 minutes while outside; however, since children under four are at higher risk of heat exhaustion, parents should consider increasing their kids’ fluid intake even higher than this, if necessary. Additionally, one should also keep in mind that hydration is the easiest way to ensure that kids have a good time on the playground without falling victim to heat stroke or other heat-related illnesses.
Nothing says “ouch!” like seeing someone with red, sunburnt skin. For kids, the pain of a sunburn could cause great discomfort, and even make them not want to go outside in the future. Thankfully, according to Johns Hopkins, applying one ounce of sunscreen every two hours to one’s face, arms, neck, and legs can effectively prevent sunburn. Although both children and adults should use sunscreen, it’s largely up to parents to make sure their children apply and reapply sunscreen at regular intervals when playing outside.
Next are a couple examples of Arizona playground equipment that utilize shade and other elements to keep kids safe from heat exhaustion:
Among all the commercial playground equipment in Phoenix Arizona, the swingset is a natural fit. Children ranging from 6 months to 12 years old can enjoy swingsets and their parents can rest easy knowing that the kids are feeling the cool, refreshing breeze as they zoom through the air on the swingset.
One of the best, most direct ways for kids to stay cool in the Arizona heat is to offer them a shady, cool area to rest and recuperate. A fabric shade, ranging from 20-40 feet in diameter, does just that, and turns any area into one where kids on the playground can cool off and rest while at play.
An effective way of cooling kids off is a water table. Kids can construct and play with water-based toys with their peers, while the presence of water and the subsequent splashing will cool them off on a hot, summer day. A little splash of water never hurt anyone, and kids will enjoy the respite from the heat, particularly if the water table is placed in a shady area out of the way of the sun. Water tables also offer rich sensory experiences and have many benefits beyond their welcome cooling effects.
Although the possibility of heat exhaustion in children can be easily overlooked, following some best practices while ensuring kids get adequate shade should help prevent heat-related discomfort or illness in their small children.
