Kids really look forward to summer vacations. It is a time to spend days out in the playground, having a lot of fun in the sun. However, kids tend to get so engrossed in having fun that they forget to have water regularly and this could lead to dehydrations. Kids sweat a lot while playing outdoors during summertime and loose a lot of fluids in the process. Not having sufficient intake of liquids can lead to dehydration and weakness. In more severe cases, children can suffer from heat stroke, break down and damage in muscles which ends up affecting kidney function. Which such serious effects of not consuming enough water, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of parents to ensure their child is rehydrated regularly.

There are several symptoms of dehydration that can help parents identify that they need to pay special attention to their child’s water in take. The first sign would be sallow and sunken eyes that look dry. The child may cry but it will be tearless. A child should be urinating at least four times in a day. If you notice a reduction in this frequency, your child may be suffering from dehydration. If the urine smells strongly and is darkish yellow in color, it is a confirmation of dehydration. Another way of testing your child for dehydration is to quickly pinch the back of his/her hand. If the color takes a long time to return, then it is a sign of dehydration.

To ensure that your child is well rehydrated during summer, keep reminding them to drink water. If needed, take water out to them and make sure they take a break from their outdoor activity to rest and replenish their liquids. Parents need to make sure that the child takes in plenty of plain water in addition to juices. Having fizzy drinks and soda does not count as water intake. Try to keep your child indoors during peak heat times, from noon till mid-afternoon, when they are likely to loose maximum fluids. Always carry sufficient water with you when you take your kids out so you don’t have to rely on external sources.