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Original poster

To take kids swimming outside in this heat?

61 replies

Smellyoldowls22 · 18/07/2022 12:16

Can anyone tell me if it's safe to take the DC to an outdoor pool in 39*C?
8 months old has a full body suit and cap and I'm scared I'll cook her.

And - this may be a really stupid question but I genuinely don't know - is burning more likely the higher the temp, or does it only have to do with UV rays?

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 18/07/2022 12:17

I wouldn't in direct sunlight.
Sheltered, yes.

Hhd1 · 18/07/2022 12:18

No it’s not safe today, particularly with an 8 month old.

FlorianImogen · 18/07/2022 12:18

I wouldn't even in the shade. It's cooler indoors and safer.

MolliciousIntent · 18/07/2022 12:19

No. Advice is to stay indoors.

Pigsears · 18/07/2022 12:21

Not in the middle of the day- even with a suit and hat on.

Maybe look to go after 1800?

Remember to put sunscreen on first, then suit.

(Am assuming it's an all in one sun suit)

Sirzy · 18/07/2022 12:21

If it was in full shade then fair enough, but otherwise not a chance certainly with such a young baby.

fill the bath or a bucket in the shower and let her splash in there

Dishh · 18/07/2022 12:21

The water does reflect the sun's rays. Stay out of of the sun in the middle of the day (10am-3pm) and certainly don't swim in unsheltered areas.

Lostinspades · 18/07/2022 12:23

I think it’s fine for a short period but we took our child out swimming at 42C this weekend

Icanstillrecallourlastsummer · 18/07/2022 12:23

In this weather your baby should be in the shade. A baby can quickly get heatstroke from being exposed to direct sun in these temperatues - whether they are in water or not.

CecilyP · 18/07/2022 12:25

If it was just primary age kids, I would say fine but I wouldn’t with a baby.

Harridance · 18/07/2022 12:28

I've just been out, seen loads of people out with push chairs, as long as there is shade, I would

Babdoc · 18/07/2022 12:29

If the pool is unheated, there is also the risk of “cold shock” cardiac arrest, if leaping into it from a very hot environment (eg today’s predicted air temperature).
I would advise adults, children and especially babies/the elderly to keep out of the sun today and tomorrow.

howdoesatoastermaketoast · 18/07/2022 12:29

Proper swimming pool I'd think is a nice idea, paddling pools not so much. Our local outdoor pool had a kind of park area surrounding it. A set up where there are towels and water in the shade and you keep going into the water to cool off and then sit or lie in the shade drinking water and reapplying sunscreen sounds pretty idyllic to me
bear in mind:
you can still get sunburn so use waterproof high factor and reapply often
you still need to keep hydrated so take plenty of water
you are still susceptible to heat exhaustion particularly if the water starts to get too warm so keep an eye on local conditions and how you and the kids are doing. You're using the water to avoid overheating but if it doesn't feel like it's being as effective as you'd like change your plans.

Discovereads · 18/07/2022 12:29

In the shade, with a sun hat and not during the hours of 11am - 3pm would be good. Afternoon is probably best as it’s usually still quite hot.

Bigmouthshouthotair · 18/07/2022 12:33

In this heat, with no shade absolutely not. The baby especially.

Mybeautifulfriend22 · 18/07/2022 12:33

It’s not just the sun tho is it. It’s the heat in the air/humidity that can also cause heatstroke. Not worth the risk to be honest.

sheabatta · 18/07/2022 12:43

Maybe I'm stupid, but we're still going. Just going to take precautions. Bring water, snack and sun cream by the poolside.

Unanananana · 18/07/2022 12:50

The advice is to stay indoors. Red warning is a risk to health. There are so many other days you can go. Why would you take a baby out in red or amber weather warning phases?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/07/2022 13:12

Unanananana · 18/07/2022 12:50

The advice is to stay indoors. Red warning is a risk to health. There are so many other days you can go. Why would you take a baby out in red or amber weather warning phases?

Quite.

tempnameforthisthread · 18/07/2022 13:15

Please don't go outside in these temperatures in the middle of the day. It's dangerous.
I live in a country where we get very hot summers, and on really hot days we are inside the whole time in the middle of the day. But the sun can reflect so even the shade is not 100 percent safe. And I have been in a situation where doctors at the E.R. were explaining to parents (who had come on holiday from a country where extreme heat is not the norm) that their small son was desperately ill with sunstroke. It was devastating. It's just not worth the risk.

Blinkingheckythump · 18/07/2022 13:15

sheabatta · 18/07/2022 12:43

Maybe I'm stupid, but we're still going. Just going to take precautions. Bring water, snack and sun cream by the poolside.

You said it

sheabatta · 18/07/2022 13:16

@Blinkingheckythump enjoy staying cooped up. No need to be rude, I'm clearly taking precautions.

sheabatta · 18/07/2022 13:19

Thing is, if you took your dc abroad, it is exactly the same. They're equally not acclimated to the heat.

Bigmouthshouthotair · 18/07/2022 13:21

sheabatta · 18/07/2022 12:43

Maybe I'm stupid, but we're still going. Just going to take precautions. Bring water, snack and sun cream by the poolside.

Well at least you have admitted how stupid it is.

Completely ridiculous

tempnameforthisthread · 18/07/2022 13:25

Also, it is important to remember that children are more susceptible to heat stroke than adults. Being cooped up inside is no fun at all, but in such extreme temperatures it is the safest option.