Summer brings plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun—from neighborhood play and swimming to sports, camps, and family vacations. While spending time outside is an important part of a healthy childhood, rising temperatures can also increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
At SouthernMED Pediatrics, we often talk with parents about keeping children safe during the hottest months of the year. With a few simple precautions and a focus on hydration, families can help children enjoy everything summer has to offer while reducing the risk of heat-related health concerns.
Children's bodies don't cool themselves as efficiently as adults, making them more vulnerable to overheating. They may also become so engaged in playing that they forget to drink water or recognize when they're becoming too hot.
Infants, toddlers, and children participating in outdoor sports or camps are especially susceptible because they lose fluids quickly through sweating and often don't replace those fluids often enough.
Water plays a vital role in helping the body regulate temperature, maintain normal organ function, and support healthy energy levels. During hot weather, children need even more fluids to replace what is lost through sweat.
Rather than waiting until your child says they're thirsty, encourage them to drink water consistently throughout the day. By the time thirst develops, mild dehydration may have already begun.
Recognizing dehydration early can help prevent more serious complications.
Watch for symptoms such as:
If your child becomes difficult to wake, appears confused, or is unable to keep fluids down, seek medical care immediately.
Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly during periods of high temperatures or prolonged physical activity. Knowing the warning signs can help you respond promptly.
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses too much water and salt through excessive sweating.
Symptoms may include:
If you suspect heat exhaustion, move your child to a cool area, encourage fluids if they are alert, loosen excess clothing, and monitor them closely.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms may include:
Call 911 immediately if you believe your child is experiencing heat stroke.
A few everyday habits can go a long way toward preventing heat-related illnesses.
Children participating in summer sports have an even greater need for hydration because of increased physical activity and prolonged sun exposure.
Remind young athletes to:
Parents, coaches, and athletes all play an important role in creating healthy habits that prioritize hydration and heat safety.
If your child frequently becomes dehydrated, has difficulty staying hydrated during outdoor activities, or develops symptoms of heat-related illness, it's a good idea to speak with your pediatric provider.
At SouthernMED Pediatrics, we're committed to helping families stay healthy throughout every season. Whether you have questions about hydration, summer sports, heat safety, or your child's overall wellness, our pediatric team is here to provide trusted guidance and support.
Summer should be filled with outdoor adventures and lasting memories—not preventable medical emergencies. By encouraging children to drink plenty of water, recognizing the early signs of dehydration, and practicing smart heat safety habits, families can help keep kids healthy all season long.
Whether your child is attending camp, playing sports, spending time at the pool, or simply enjoying the outdoors, a little planning can make all the difference in preventing heat-related illnesses and ensuring a safe, active summer.
This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your child's healthcare provider.
For children in Kindergarten and older, you can instantly access and download immunization records through the South Carolina Department of Public Health's self-service portal.
Simply click the link above and follow the instructions to download your child's vaccination record. No phone call or office visit required.
Starting October 14, 2024, you may notice our text messages and emails are formatted a little differently. Don't worry! We've just gotten a refresh!
We are excited to announce the implementation of a new checkin experience that is sure to enhance our families’ experiences with our registration and intake processes! Some things you can expect with this new platform:
This new process will allow patients and families to complete their previsit questionnaires and screeners, such as MCHAT, Vanderbilts, etc., ahead of their appointment - as far as a week in advance for some visits!
Families can complete demographic and insurance updates on their own time.
No more kiosks - all paperwork will be completed ahead of time which means no more chasing wandering littles through the waiting room while trying to update your information.
Helloooooo, sunshine! As the sun heats up and the viruses cool down, we'll be shifting to a new Summer schedule on Fridays to match the relaxed vibes of the season. Beginning Friday, June 7th, our Friday hours will be from 8am-3pm; just for the Summer months. Normal business hours will resume the week of August 5.
We're announcing a NEW healow experience! In accordance with the 21st Century Cures Act and the capabilities of our records system, we will be moving to a new, more pediatric-friendly portal over the next few weeks. The biggest difference? Our portal will now be available for up to two parents or legal guardians for each patient, as requested.
Additionally, teens over the age of 16 are eligible to enroll into a self-managed portal account by providing their email address as the primary account holder. Primary teen accounts are required for portal participation because teens at this age assume ownership over their medical record pursuant to SC Law.
To that end, we will be pausing all portal accounts for patients aged 16+ on June 3, 2024 as we move everyone to this new portal. Teens may sign up for a portal account and opt to grant access to parents or legal guardians to act as a medical proxy and secondary portal user on their behalf by completing a new Teen Demographic Form (if out of date) or Proxy Authorization Form in our office. We encourage patients, parents, and caregivers to review the additional information about our proxy portal, available in the New Healow Portal document located HERE.
We know that seeing your little ones head off to kindergarten is a huge milestone but don't worry, Mama, they're going to do great!
Kindergarten registration begins this month for some school districts and a SC certificate of immunization is a required document. Immunization record requests to our office can take up to 5 business days to process so be sure to request your child's immunization record today by texting SHOT to our text line (803) 866-7337.
Santa's coming to town!
To make sure that our staff have plenty of time to prepare for his arrival and to spend ample time with their families, we will be scaling our hours as follows:
Friday, 12/22: 8am-12pm*
Saturday, 12/23: 9am-12pm, Lake Murray and Aiken offices only*
Monday, 12/25: closed
Friday, 12/29: 8am-12pm*
Saturday, 12/30: 9am-12pm, Aiken office only*
Monday, 1/1: closed
*same day sick appointments only
** 8/30/23 Update: We are continuing to closely monitor Hurricane Idalia and the forecasted impact on the state. As such we have made the decision to close our Charleston, Summerville, and Hillcrest offices at 3pm this afternoon to allow our staff the opportunity to prepare the office for inclement weather before severe weather hits.
Additionally, tomorrow we will delay opening to 10am. Our patient services team will be reaching out to all families who are affected by the closures for rescheduling.
We will continue to monitor the weather as it develops and make any updates here on our social pages. Please stay safe!
The weather is getting nicer and the sun is getting hotter here in SC, so let's talk through some key preventative tips as you and your family start venturing outside more.
Stay Cool!
South Carolina, especially the Midlands region, is notoriously hot during the Summer months, with highest temperatures occurring during July. With the heat index oftentimes reaching over 90* F, it is important to know how to combat extreme temperatures to keep your family safe.
Helpful tip: Stay cool this summer by:
Sun Safety!
Always apply sunscreen when outside. Apply 15-30 minutes ahead of when going outside to allow it to absorb and reapply every 2-3 hours or right after getting wet. Sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and are at least 30 SPF are recommended, as well as the use of hats and sun protective clothing to limit sun exposure. Don't forget lip balm with sunscreen to protect lips!
Always check the car!
Never leave children in the car, even for short periods of time, even with the windows open. Be sure to talk with your child about not using the car as a hiding spot for games, and advise them to never be alone in the car.
Helpful tip: when driving, place items you need in the backseat such as purses, cell phones, shoes, etc. as an added reason to check the backseat.
Hydrate!
The AAP recommends the following daily water and milk intake for children under the age of 5. For hotter days or on days when kids are outside for longer periods of time, aim for the higher recommendation.
For children 4-8 years old, aim for 5 cups of water, and 7-8 cups of water for older children.
Helpful tip: Try to limit sugary drinks and encourage water intake. To make water more appealing to kids, try infusing it with lemons, berries, cucumbers or mint.
Bugs Bugs Everywhere!
South Carolina bugs are making their appearance, so consider the following when going outdoors:
Water Safety!
Never leave children unattended around bodies of water, even small ones. Don't rely on inflatable toys or water wings to keep your child safe in the water. Flotation devices and life jackets should be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (check for the seal) and should fit according to the PFDs size recommendations, which is usually based on size and weight. Not sure when and wear to a life jacket? Check this:
Other considerations include:
Wheel Safety!
Always wear a helmet when riding a bike or scooter. Adjust the helmet so that it fits properly; it should be placed squarely on the head and cover the top of the forehead. Helmets should not move around on the head or slide down over the wearer's eyes when pushed or pulled.
Supervise your child outside and teach them bike/scooter safety, as well as how to look out for motorists and other riders.
SouthernMED is currently seeking individuals to fill various clinic-based positions, such as CNAs, RMAs, Nurses and Providers throughout the state. Check our our open positions here: https://southernmedpeds.apscareerportal.com/account