Hot Weather Plan for Child Care Centres

Plan Ahead

Ensure that your emergency plan includes measures on how to respond to extreme heat events and that your staff are familiar with your response protocols.

Preparation and maintenance

1. Prepare your staff to recognize signs of heat-related illness and when it is an emergency.
2. Follow official heat alerts and warnings either by regularly checking local weather forecasts, or by downloading the WeatherCan app.
3. Make sure if you have air conditioning, portable fans, or window coverings, they are working well and regularly maintained. If you don’t have mechanical air conditioning, consider installing a portable unit and designating one or more rooms with air conditioning where children can cool down.

Assess your outdoor space to limit children’s exposure to heat

1. Consider planting trees to create shaded areas for outdoor play.
2. Temporary or permanent shade structures such as gazebos, retractable awnings, pop-up tents, and umbrellas can provide relief from the sun and heat.
3. Be familiar with the City’s Heat Relief Network locations where children can get respite from heat. These include local libraries, community centres, pools, and splashpads and can be found by using the interactive map.

Stock up on essentials

1. Ensure you have water, disposable cups, thermometers, towels, and ice or gel packs.
2. Play sprinklers and other water toys can be a fun and cooling play activity.
3. Notify parents during drop-off or pick-up about an upcoming extreme heat event so they can pack sunscreen and dress children in light, loosely fitted clothing.
4. Parents should also advise if children are on any medication that may make them more sensitive to U.V radiation.

During a Heat Event

Consider the following list of measures during a heat events.  As each facility might be different, chose those measures that are applicable to your centre and its specific needs:

• Diligently monitor the children for any signs of heat related illness
• Ensure children and staff are well hydrated.
• When possible, plan outdoor activities during the morning (7:30 a.m. to10:30 a.m.) when it is cooler and incorporate less physically intensive games.
• Have set breaks for children to come into a cooler area to rest and re-hydrate.
• Role model what do to do during an extreme heat event to the children, take multiple breaks, drink water, and play in the shade.
• If you don’t have air conditioning, close windows in the morning to trap the cooler air inside and open windows and doors in the evening to let the cooler overnight air in. If the temperature is cooler outside, keep the windows open and use fans to push the warmer air outside.
• Keep the blinds/curtains closed during the day.
• Avoid the use of appliances that give off excess heat such as stoves. Check play surfaces, benches, strollers, and wheelchairs to make sure they aren’t too hot
• When children are outside, consider incorporating water activities (splash pad, water guns, pool, slip and slide, sprinklers, and spraying mist on the skin, to keep cool.
• Avoid exposure to the sun without waterproof sunscreen. Wet clothing has a decreased effect at blocking U.V radiation.
• Consider visiting a Cooler Space Near You.
• Monitor local weather forecast for warning, alerts, and advice.

Signs of Heat Related Illness in Children

Children are more vulnerable to heat exposure due to their smaller size and developing bodies. They may exhibit unique signs of heat related illness that should be monitored closely during extreme heat events. Ensure that children are well hydrated and rested to keep them healthy. To promote hydration, include flavored water, diluted fruit juice, and water rich fruits and vegetables.  Monitor for the following symptoms that might be an indication of heat-related illness:

• Fewer wet diapers
• Seeming crankier and fussier then normal
• Being extra thirsty
• No tears when crying
• Dry mouth, skin, and tongue
• Shallow breathing
• Sunken eyes and sunken soft spot