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AIBU?

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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:
BryceQuinlanTheFirst · 18/07/2022 13:26

I wouldn't do this. I had swimming booked for today but I'm not going

Roselilly36 · 18/07/2022 13:28

I wouldn’t consider it.

Somuchgoo · 18/07/2022 13:32

A totally shaded paddling pool, where they can go back inside after a few minutes, sure (we are doing this today). A public splash area or pool which is likely to be in direct sunlight, hell no.

Kimchi · 18/07/2022 13:33

Absolutely not. I live in Australia and would not take children, let alone a baby, out of the shade and in water in that sort of temperature.

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 18/07/2022 13:38

Obviously not. The advice is to stay cool as much as possible, avoid unnecessary trips out etc. Even a paddling pool in the garden is too risky unless in very cool shade. Close windows and doors and curtains, get some fans on and keep your baby cool!

restedbutexhausted · 18/07/2022 13:46

Also bear in mind that in the pool you won't feel the heat as much, making it more dangerous.

With such a young baby I would not dream of it. It's a recipe for sunstroke, or heat exhaustion at the very least.

Mollymalone123 · 18/07/2022 13:48

Even in shade heatstroke in a baby can be deadly.

Flapjack637 · 18/07/2022 13:51

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?

Absolutely this.

ShriekingShack · 18/07/2022 13:52

We’re in the middle of the red zone. There’s an outdoor splash pool with park nearby and I’m not going. At the temperatures we’ve had today, and actually for weeks, there’s no way that pool is a refreshing temperature. It’s heatstroke as well as sunstroke so it’s not just about shade. Maybe it’s not as hot hear you but there is no breeze or anything here.

justasking111 · 18/07/2022 13:54

Well in the next few days we'll hear who died was hospitalised and who's fine. I take the mad dogs and Englishman advice follow the continental advice and stay indoors in the heat of the day

justasking111 · 18/07/2022 13:57

Kimchi · 18/07/2022 13:33

Absolutely not. I live in Australia and would not take children, let alone a baby, out of the shade and in water in that sort of temperature.

You're a wise person.

This is why the government have to bang on about this heatwave we may wonder why but they're protecting the ignorant from themselves

Ylvamoon · 18/07/2022 14:00

Yeah why not - just make sure you stay in the shade and provide plenty of fluids!

I'll be going swimming after work around 4:30...

Faciadipasta · 18/07/2022 14:02

Well.im planning on taking my primary age DC to the pool this afternoon. We're going for about 5.30 / 6pm so it will be hot but the sun won't be as strong.
Surely the water is the coolest place to be?

queenatom · 18/07/2022 14:05

We've taken our 8 month old to the outdoor pool before wearing his solar wetsuit and big waterproof hat, but we're skipping it today (and tomorrow) - far too hot out, particularly given the sun protection he'd need. We went to the (very, very nearby) leisure centre instead and took a dip in the indoor pool there, where he could just wear his swim nappy.

Dreamingof3 · 18/07/2022 14:06

I wouldn't risk it. Not only are the temperatures high, but the uv is too

Bigmouthshouthotair · 18/07/2022 14:09

Faciadipasta · 18/07/2022 14:02

Well.im planning on taking my primary age DC to the pool this afternoon. We're going for about 5.30 / 6pm so it will be hot but the sun won't be as strong.
Surely the water is the coolest place to be?

Not on the heat of the day, which OP is doing and not with an 8 month old.

It luls you into a false sense of security that it isn't as hot as it is.

I've seen people have awful heatstroke through it in the past.

TiredInPerpetuity · 18/07/2022 14:09

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.

If I took an 8 month old abroad, they still wouldn't be in a swimming pool in direct sun in 39 degree heat.

Crunchymum · 18/07/2022 14:21

I worry that you even ask the question to be honest.

I mean surely you know most of the country are under an unprecedented red warning and are being advised to stay OUT of the sun.

Sillystripytail · 18/07/2022 14:32

It is worrying that you even ask. I really hope you haven't gone.

I'm inside with my 3 year old and he's starting to hit the really bored stage now but I'd rather he was bored and safe than risk him getting heatstroke.

coffeecupsandfairylights · 18/07/2022 14:36

If your DC were older, I'd say go for it, but a 8mo baby is so young and vulnerable - it will be far too hot and they're not exactly capable of telling you that they're too hot, feel unwell or have had enough.

I really hope you stayed home. We have our paddling pool up in the garden, it's only 30 degrees here and it feels like a warm bath! It's not remotely refreshing or cooling to be in there.

Goldfishmountainclimber · 18/07/2022 14:42

Don’t risk it with a baby.
The NHS is overwhelmed. Stay safe. It’s only a few days.

WorkEvent · 18/07/2022 14:58

A pool in the shade in a garden where I know we could easily retreat indoors if it felt too warm is one thing (although I’d still think twice with a baby), a public pool which will be rammed, and you can’t guarantee a shady spot, not a chance.

My two (preschoolers) are bored. We’re letting them go into the garden in the shade periodically and making sure they cool down inside at regular intervals. They’d be fine outside in the shade/paddling pool if we could keep them calm but they have no sense of energy expenditure or overheating and run around like lunatics!

IfCanCanICan · 18/07/2022 14:59

There are 363 other days in the year that you could take your baby swimming with no need for extra precautions/concern. Why do you need to go today?

Scarlettpixie · 18/07/2022 15:08

Just no. Why ask if you are going to ignore everyone here along with the official advice (to stay indoors). I am sure you will be back later to all was fine but why would you put your baby at risk?

Spohn · 18/07/2022 15:08

A baby that age can't even do anything, so you'd just be holding the kid while in water. Why not hold the baby in water in your own house?