“A lot of times the students are receiving a lot of their meals at school but in the summer months that primarily falls on the parent,” said Maya Rashad, nutrition program coordinator at Cook Children’s Health Care System.

According to data from the Cook Children’s Center for Community Health 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment, about 390,100 children from birth to 17 years old live in households that sometimes or often couldn’t afford nutritious meals. 

To help address those needs Cook Children’s Health Care System's Nourishing Communities program partners with R.E.D. Mobile Market, the Good for You Healthy Hub, and other Texas Health Resources Healthy Hubs to fight food insecurity and continue expanding community partnerships.

Free Summer Meals for Kids

Healthy breakfast, lunch, or to-go meals are available to children 18 and under all summer long.

• Fort Worth ISD Summer Food Program: Schedules and school locations
• USDA Summer Meals Site Finder: Find local distribution sites near you

“Healthy diet is the foundation of a healthy life,” said Rashad.

To put those words into action, Rashad hosts cooking classes twice a week at the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center focusing on eating healthy while on a budget.

Lily Han, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Windhaven and Rashad share practical tips families can use to stay healthy during the summer without breaking the bank.

“The summer is a great time to introduce new fresh, colorful and fun foods,” said Dr. Han.   

 One key strategy is choosing seasonal produce. Look for fruits and vegetables at their peak, like berries, avocados, watermelons and tomatoes.

Balancing Energy and Hydration

Nutrition during the hot summer months is also about maintaining proper hydration. With children constantly on the move between sports clinics, day camps, pool days and play dates, structured eating can easily slide.

Dr. Han said it is important for families to aim for three meals a day and two to three snacks to keep energy levels stable.

“Keep in mind you are fueling for both energy and hydration,” said Dr. Han.

Experts recommend keeping easy, ready-to-eat items on hand to curb hunger, stabilize blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy throughout long days of play.

Smart on-the-go snack options include:

• Trail mix
• Nut butter and whole grain crackers
• Frozen yogurt tubes
• Veggie sticks and fresh fruit
• Granola and cheese sticks

Related Stories:

• Texas Summer Safety for Kids: Hydration, Heat Illness Signs and Sun Protection Tips
• Bridging the Gap: How Cook Children’s Health Plan is Transforming Las Vegas Trail
• From Our Kitchen to Yours: Inside the Demonstration Kitchen at the new neighborhood health center serving the Las Vegas Trail Area

As pediatric experts, Cook Children’s Health Care System know that protecting a child's health is about preventing emergency room visits just as much as treating illness. Ahead of the major soccer tournament, the system launched "World Cup Wednesday," a weekly healthcare series providing local and international visitors with essential resources on injury prevention, heat safety, water safety and guidance on when to utilize urgent care versus the emergency department.

The hottest time of the year in Texas is here, with temperatures regularly ranging from 80-100 degrees between June and August. Medical experts from Cook Children’s Health Care System advise caregivers and parents on what to know before attending outdoor activities or fan watch parties.

“Children can't cool off the body as well as adults,” said Monica Herrera, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Windhaven, “it's important that we keep them hydrated.”

Dr. Herrera emphasizes that hydration is key during these months, as well as protecting children's skin from the sun and mosquitoes.

Learn the signs of heat-related illnesses

Spending too much time in the heat without proper hydration can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Dr. Herrera said learning the signs for heat-related illness is important, so caregivers know when to seek medical attention.

Symptoms include:

• Feeling faint or confused: A child may begin acting disoriented.
• Walking unsteadily and losing coordination.
• Headache
• Abnormally warm skin: Feels hot to the touch.
• Lack of urination: No wet diapers or bathroom use in eight hours.
• Nauseous and vomiting
• Shallow breathes: The body uses shallow breathing to try to shed excess heat.
• Muscle cramps: A child may complain that their legs hurt.
• Numbness

If a child exhibits these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Preparedness is the number one way to avoid heat-related illness and Dr. Herrera says it starts with hydration.

Hydration Tips

Babies under 6 months old should generally be kept indoors. However, if an infant is outside, Dr. Herrera recommends they stay hydrated with formula or breastmilk. Babies under 6 months should not be given water.

“The breast milk has everything that the baby needs as does formula,” said Dr. Herrera. “If you're outside for a prolonged period they really need to be drinking every 20 minutes.”

As children get older water becomes the priority for hydration, but there are other tricks if your little one isn’t fond of H20. While water is best, other caffeine-free fluids and water-rich foods can help count toward hydration.

“Fluids don’t always come in the form of liquid,” said Dr. Herrera.

Alternative hydration sources:

• Ice cream
• Popsicles
• Snow cones
• Crushed Ice
• Fruits (Watermelon, grapes and cantaloupe) are an excellent source of hydration
• Soft liquids (such as yogurt, applesauce)

How do you know if your child is hydrated?

Check their urine. Urine is the best indicator of hydration status for both children and adults. A well-hydrated child's or adult’s urine should be clear to a light yellow, similar to a light lemonade color. If the urine is dark yellow or tea-colored, dark orange, more fluids are needed.

Sun protection

While hydration is critical, protecting a child’s skin is a close second. Dr. Herrera explained that children’s skin is sensitive and can burn when exposed to the sun for a prolonged period. While sunblock Sun Protection Factor (SPF) ratings range in coverage from SPF 10 to 80, Dr. Herrera recommends choosing products with two active ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and use a sunblock of SPF 30.

Babies under 6 months of age should not have sunblock applied. Instead, keep them in the shade and dress them in a wide-brimmed hat.

Sunblock recommendations for 6 months and older:

• Choose a mineral-based sunscreen.
• Use SPF 30
• Apply 15 to 30 minutes prior to going outside.
• Reapply every two hours.
• Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone.
• Choose lotions over aerosol sprays to ensure total skin coverage.

Staying Cool in the Sun

• Dress children in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Choose breathable, absorbent materials.
• Avoid sitting directly in the sun. Seek shade when possible.
• Use cool mist sprays for quick relief.

Mosquitos

Summer heat in Texas also brings mosquitoes, which thrive around stagnant water and in hot, humid climates.

“Mosquitoes, as we know, can carry viruses which can cause severe infections and serious complications,” said Dr. Herrera. “We want to avoid mosquito bites if at all possible.”

The most effective line of defense is insect repellent.

Finding the best repellent:

• DEET is the most effective option.
• For infants up to 2 years of age, use a maximum of 10% DEET.
• For children older than 2, a maximum of 30% DEET.
• Apply repellent only to exposed skin or on top of clothing. Do not apply it underneath clothing.
• If concerned about applying directly on the skin, apply repellent on clothing instead.

RELATED STORIES:

• Cook Children’s Provides Innovative Care for Family From Mexico

• Big Game, Big Responsibility: Water Safety

• Navigating Pediatric Emergency and Urgent Care During the Tournament

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting children in swim lessons as young as 12 months old to reduce the risk of drowning. The AAP says always keep in mind that swim lessons are just one of several important layers of protection needed to help prevent drowning.

“You are never too old to learn how to swim,” said Jillian Mitchell, community health program coordinator at Cook Children’s Health Care System. “There are instructors who specialize in teaching adults or co-teach adults and children.”

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) provides parents with a printable questionnaire to help identify the right swim program for their children. They suggest some questions for the program you are looking at, including asking for information about the instructor’s experience, swim lesson curriculum, length and frequency of classes. 

“Choosing the swim instruction style is a personal choice, and it should be an informed one,” Mitchell said.

Before choosing a program, the AAP recommends keeping your child’s emotional maturity, physical and developmental abilities and limitations, and comfort level in the water in mind.

“It is important to consider what unique needs your child has in addition to visiting a school, asking questions about their curriculum or teaching philosophy,” Mitchell said.

Swimming lessons teach the basics of swimming and, for toddlers, it introduce them to get them comfortable with water, teaching them physical movements in the water like kicks and “ice cream scoops” with their hands. It also shows them how to get in and out of the water. Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) teaches infants and toddlers how to roll in the water in emergencies.

When should you sign up a child for swimming lessons?

The AAP says most children are ready for swim lessons by age 4. However, parents of younger children should look into classes that allow a parent or caregiver and child to be in the water together with an instructor, whether swimming lessons or ISR. The AAP explains that by age 4, children can usually learn basic water survival skills such as floating, treading water, and getting to an exit point.

What is Infant Swimming Resource (ISR)?

Parents may feel their child is ready to learn as young as 6 months old. ISR instructors are unique in that they work specifically with infants. ISR focuses on teaching children to roll onto their backs, float, and rest. It is designed to give children instinctive reactions to emergencies if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly. Children learn how to “float, swim, float” until they reach the edge and can exit safely or be pulled out of the pool by an adult.

Cook Children’s recommends asking questions and choosing an instructor/school that fits families’ budget, schedule, and child’s unique needs.

Summer has begun, which means more outdoor activities and finding ways to cool down. Cook Children's Health Care System experts share tips for parents on how to keep children safe and prepared for the heat, from cooling down at the pool to summer travel safety.

As the 4^th of July approaches, we are sharing the latest drowning data from Cook Children’s Health Care System. As of January 1 to June 18, there were 20 drownings treated at Cook Children’s, two of which were fatal. Most of these patients have been in the 5-year-old and under age group.

So far in 2025, there has been a decrease with 18 drownings and two fatalities. Most drownings in 2025 have occurred in a swimming pool or spa, second highest were bathtub-related.

While most drowning encounters were not fatal, drowning injuries can result in severe effects, especially on a child’s brain development. Drownings can happen silently and quickly. A submerged person might not attract attention or appear to be in danger.

Cool Down: Water safety and drowning prevention

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury and death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause for kids 5-14 in Texas.  Eighty-eight percent of drownings occur with at least one adult present. 

• Wear swimsuits with bright colors that are easily detectable in water.
• Designate an adult Water Watcher to ensure constant visual supervision of children in and around water.
• Implement 15-minute shifts for Water Watchers.
• No Distractions: The Water Watcher must have no distractions, including conversations, phones, reading, or consuming alcohol.
• Communication is key: Talk with all caregivers (family and friends) about your child’s swim ability or water competency skills.
• Never assume that adults will be watching, but rather verbally confirm it before leaving your child in their care.
• Barriers: Locks, alarms, and pool fences can help keep unsupervised young children from entering swimming pools.

Fun in the Sun: Boating Safety

The risk of drowning in open water triples at age 15. Setting safety expectations with the whole family ahead of time is paramount. Most drowning fatalities in natural water are not related to boating. Texas law requires that all children 13 and under wear a life jacket while on a boat. Cook Children's Health Care System supports over 60 Loaner Life Jacket Stations in North Texas lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. The goal is to make sure no child or adult drowns at a public lake because they did not have access to a life jacket.

• Make sure life jacket usage is mandatory, along with adult supervision.
• Toe In/Vest On Policy: If a toe is in the water, a life jacket goes on.
• Life Jackets: Must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved.
• When your life jacket is on, ensure that it is buckled on your child as directed.  Always. 
• Know water conditions before getting into open water. Water conditions in lakes and oceans can vary daily.  

Heat Safety

Spending too much time in the heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

• Stay hydrated: Water is best, but other fluids count if they do not include caffeine.
• Hot car danger: Make a habit of double-checking your backseat each time you get out of the car.
• Watch out for hot buckles on car seats, as these can cause burns on your child’s skin.
• Be aware of heat illness. Know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Sun’s Out, Fun’s On

When it comes to sunburn, prevention is key. 

• Use a zinc oxide-based sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
• Cover skin with SPF clothing.
• Apply sunscreen generously and frequently, 15 minutes prior to sun exposure.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming.
• For infants: Keep them out of direct sunlight, especially during peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Keep their skin covered with lightweight pants, a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat. 
• Wear sunglasses: Look for sunglasses that protect your child’s eyes from at least 97% of the UV rays. 
• If you are worried about any burn, even if it seems minor, consult your child’s pediatrician.

Fireworks
Fireworks can cause severe injuries that are both harmful and painful to children. Children should never handle fireworks. Even seemingly harmless sparklers can heat up to more than 1,200 degrees, making them dangerous for young children.

• The safest way to enjoy fireworks is at a professional display.
• If setting off fireworks at home, adults should only set them off in a “kid-free” zone.
• Adults should not hold fireworks in their hands or keep any part of their body over them while lighting.
• Avoid accidental burns: keep children away from bonfires and grills.

“Hiding a gun under a mattress, in the closet, or on a high shelf is not safe storage,” Gonzalez explains. “Guns must be stored unloaded and locked away outside the reach of a child or teen.”

Gonzalez adds that safe storage can greatly contribute to reducing unauthorized use of firearms and gun violence among our youth.   

Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth treated 40 gun-related injuries in fiscal year 2025 (October–September). During the fiscal year 2024, Cook Children treated 62 gun-related injuries.

June 6 marks National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the beginning of Wear Orange Weekend, a time dedicated to raising awareness about gun violence prevention and honoring victims.

“Summer especially is a great time to practice the 3 T’s of gun safety: Talk, Teach, and Take Action,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez and Dan Guzman, M.D., a pediatric emergency medicine physician and Medical Director of the Aim For Safety® program, work together to educate the community, primarily focusing on preventing unintentional gun injuries by encouraging safe gun storage. Dr. Guzman has seen and treated an unfortunate number of children injured or killed due to firearms. As a gun owner and parent, he understands the importance of safely securing firearms.

“I don't want to watch another child die as a result of a firearm,” Dr. Guzman said.

He emphasizes that the initiative is not about advocating for or against gun ownership; the focus is on providing people with the tools and resources to be safe around guns.

The Aim For Safety® program has provided education and resources to thousands across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

“We highlight how safe storage greatly reduces the risk of unintentional injuries, as well as how it contributes to keeping children safe during mental health crises and reducing the risk of use for gun violence,” Gonzalez said.

Between October 2024 and April 2025 alone, the program provided 252 gun safes and 206 gun cable locks to the community. This is in addition to almost 1,000 gun cable locks provided to families in the emergency department over the last year.

“That’s a total of 458 families which now have tools to keep their families safe,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez explains that safety extends beyond firearms such as handguns and also includes air-powered guns such as BB, pellet, and paintball guns.

“Guns should never be used without a guardian’s permission and should only be used while an adult is supervising,” Gonzalez said.

Open Dialogue: Talking to Other Parents about Gun Safety

• Keep the conversation focused on safety, not on whether someone should or should not own a gun.
• Simply ask if there are firearms in the home and if so, are they properly stored (unloaded and locked with a cable lock or in a gun safe).
  • If not, visit the Cook Children’s Aim For Safety website for tips on how to keep guns safely stored or for resources that we can offer to assist in safely storing the gun.

Aim for Safety in the Community

Aim for Safety will be out in the community throughout the summer:

• Defenderpalooza on July 12
• Fort Worth’s Premier Gun Show on August 23-24
• Scheels Great Outdoor Expo September 6-7
• If anyone is interested in a presentation, please reach out to  eric.gonzalez@cookchildrens.org

Lives Impacted by Gun-Related Injuries and Prevention Efforts at Cook Children's

• In FY 2025, Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth has treated 40 gun-related injuries
• In FY 2024, Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth treated 62 gun-related injuries
• Most non-fatal injuries were caused by air-powered guns (BB guns, airsoft guns, paintball guns, etc.), while most severe or fatal injuries were caused by handguns.
• Between October 2024 and April 2025 alone, we provided 252 gun safes and 206 gun cable locks to the community through various events.

Sophia Price, with Cook Children's Trauma and Injury Prevention says Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth reported its first snakebites of the season in late April and early May, including its first copperhead bite in May. In 2024, the Cook Children's Health Care System treated 30 snakebites, with the first reported in March.

Jay Pearson, P.A., a physician assistant with Cook Children’s Trauma Services, offers crucial advice for parents on keeping children safe from snakebites. Price recommends avoiding walking in tall grass and wearing protective boots. She also warns that at night, snakes may rest on warm surfaces like driveways or sidewalks. Price emphasizes that individuals should never attempt to touch or handle a snake, even if it appears dead.

North Texas is home to three species of pit vipers:

• Copperheads
• Cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins)
• Rattlesnakes

A snakebite can cause localized pain and swelling that may spread as venom progresses. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and an increased heart rate. In severe cases, patients may experience difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, or bleeding disorders.

If a snake bites a child, seek immediate medical attention at the closest emergency department.

What to do if bitten by a snake:

• Do not try to capture, photograph, or kill the snake.
• Do not apply ice, tourniquets, or attempt to suck out venom.
• Immobilize the affected limb and keep it at heart level if possible.

How snakebites are treated at Cook Children's:

Once at the hospital, patients with moderate to severe envenomation may receive antivenom, which is readily available at Cook Children’s Medical Center.

Patients are closely monitored for symptom progression and may require hospital admission for observation and supportive care. 

Ahh, summer. It’s full of adventure. Or, if your kids are anything like mine — misadventure.

Barely two weeks into our summer break this year I made a visit to urgent care with my 14-year-old to have a fish hook removed from his hand. Totally worth it, he says, since he caught a bass. (Insert my motherly eyeroll and exasperated sigh.)

The summer months can be busy ones in pediatric emergency departments, urgent care centers and pediatrician offices. With kids out of school and looking for fun, they sometimes find trouble that results in injury. Tragically, some of those injuries can be serious, life-altering or even fatal.

“In the summer, kids have all day and night to be able to get into trouble, which is what kids are supposed to do. They're just learning,” said Daniel Guzman, M.D., a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Cook Children’s Medical Center. “As parents, we're just trying to manage the chaos so they don’t make any tragic mistakes.”

Drownings top the list of summertime injuries and causes of death at Cook Children’s, according to Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention coordinator. In fact, it tops the list nationally. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 4. For teens, it is the second leading cause of death.

The Center for Community Health, led by Cook Children’s, offers parents and kids water safety and drowning prevention education guides and resources like water-watcher tags and life jackets through its Lifeguard Your Child program. Through this program, anyone can learn how to choose and properly fit a life jacket, how to build a water safety plan, what type of physical barriers should be in place to secure backyard pools and tips for a safe and fun swim time. 

After drownings, the top sources of summertime injuries sending kids to Cook Children’s Emergency Department include:

• Motor vehicle collisions
• All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents
• Dog bites
• Falls on playground equipment and trampolines

Dr. Guzman says car and ATV accident injuries are often the most tragic.

An estimated four kids are seen in U.S. emergency departments every hour for injuries related to ATV accidents, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. From 2017 to 2022, more than 700 North Texas children, most between the ages of 10 to 14, were treated at Cook Children’s Medical Center for serious injuries involving accidents with off-road motorized vehicles.

“The most critical injuries we see from these vehicles are head injuries from kids not wearing a helmet and being ejected,” Dr. Guzman said.

Golf carts can be particularly dangerous.

“With individual ATVs, people tend to put more of the safety equipment on their children, but with a golf cart people feel more secure and protected and less threatened,” he said. “They usually are not wearing a helmet or a seatbelt, so we see these ejections. When you are riding on pavement and it’s head versus pavement, the pavement always wins.”

While common summertime injuries seen at Cook Children’s Urgent Care Centers are more minor in nature than those in the Emergency Department, the sources of injury are often similar.

“We see lots of trampoline and bicycle injuries," said Kara Starnes, D.O, medical director of Cook Children’s Urgent Care Services. “Kids get outside, they're more active and they're more likely to break things. Bicycles, hoverboards, skateboards and trampolines are a big source of fractures or sprains. Fish hooks are more common in the summer, as are lacerations because kids are playing outside more. They get more cuts and things that need to be sewn up in the summertime.”

The primary care pediatrician’s summer risk list looks a little different given their focus on non-emergency care. When temperatures rise, pediatricians see more:

• Infected bug bites
• Sunburn
• Dehydration
• Poison ivy
• Swimmer’s ear infections
• Leg fractures

“Believe it or not, I see lots of leg fractures in little kids from sliding down a slide while sitting in their parent’s lap, because their leg gets caught between the parent and the side of the slide,” said Diane Arnaout, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatric Forest Park. “It’s a really dangerous thing to do.”

Pediatricians and Their Own Kids

Given these common injuries, we asked a few Cook Children’s physicians to weigh in on what they never allow their own children to do, or never let their kids leave the house without in the summer. It’s important to note these physicians are not afraid of fun, they just see the negative outcomes of these thrill-seeking activities on a daily basis. For them, the dangers associated with some of these risky behaviors outweigh the entertainment.

Here’s what they had to say:

Dr. Guzman:

“Trampolines are a big thing that I despise. We see so many injuries from those. You get multiple kids on a trampoline and that really becomes a problem. Another thing for me is golf carts. Until kids can drive, they probably shouldn't be in the golf cart unless mom or dad is in there with them. You wouldn't let your kid drive your car. Why would you let them drive a golf cart, ATV or other off-road motorized vehicle at a young age without any experience? They just don't understand the gravity of the responsibility or have the physical dexterity to maintain a vehicle.”

Dr. Starnes:

“I would never let my kids ride their bikes without a helmet because we see some pretty severe head injuries from bike accidents. ATVs are an absolute hard no for me. Also, kids go barefoot a lot in the summer, so we'll see things get stuck in their feet more often, like glass or gravel. To avoid this, I would recommend they at least wear flip flops or some sort of shoe while playing outside.”

Dr. Arnaout:

“I never let my kids leave the house without a water bottle in the summer. We don’t do trampolines without safety nets or bikes without helmets. And ATVs are a no-go for me.”

Bianka Soria-Olmos, D.O., pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Haslet

“Insect repellant, sunscreen and big hats for scalp protection are a must for my kiddos. Water safety is my No. 1 topic in the summer and must be the No. 1 focus of parents when their kids are in or near bodies of water.”

RELATED:

• Should My Child Ride ATVs? Cook Children's Experts Weigh In (checkupnewsroom.com)
• Sunburn Relief at Home, When to See a Pediatrician (checkupnewsroom.com)
• Pediatrician Shares Top Beach Vacation Health Tips (checkupnewsroom.com)
• Heads Up: Helmet Tips for Safer Bicycling (checkupnewsroom.com)
• Teen Driver? What to Know Before They Go This Summer (checkupnewsroom.com)

With the temperature reaching 104 the other day, I was shocked to see a toddler by himself in the car outside of a restaurant. I rushed inside and found his mom, who waited in line for her to go order. As soon as the mom unlocked the car and I knew the child was safe, I left but could not get this scenario out of my mind.

“There is no amount of time that is safe to leave a child in the car,” said Sharon Evans, RN, BSN, CPN, CPSTI, trauma injury prevention coordinator at Cook Children’s. “It’s not worth the risk to run into a restaurant because before you know it five or 10 minutes have gone by, and the temperature could have reached a dangerous level. If a child is left in the car and something happens, there is no way to justify it.”

Since May 1, MedStar emergency medical crews have responded to nine incidents where a child was left in a hot car. All were under 6 years old.

Only 20 states have laws that make it illegal to leave a child unattended in a vehicle – Texas being one of them. In only 10 minutes, a car’s temperature rises 19 degrees, and cracking windows has no effect. Since 1998, 920 children are known to have died in the U.S. of pediatric vehicular heatstroke (PVH), 13 of those deaths happening this year. Texas leads all states with 137 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths.

“When a core body temperature of 107 degrees or greater is reached, cells are damaged and internal organs begin to shut down,” Evans said. “A child’s thermoregulatory system is not as efficient as an adult’s and the body temperature warms at a rate three to five times faster.”

Sharon became part of the Texas Heatstroke Task Force which formed in 2011 after a Safe Kids Worldwide meeting. The Task Force provides heatstroke prevention education.

“Our goal is to provide awareness about pediatric vehicular heatstroke to prevent these deaths from happening,” said Johnny Humphreys, Texas Heatstroke Task Force Chair.

How Everyone Can Help Prevent Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths 

Evans says that everyone needs to be aware of locking their car doors, because some kids, especially those with special needs, think of the car as their safe haven.

“Some children with autism find comfort from the vibration of the car, so they may escape to an unlocked vehicle,” Evans said. “The problem is that sometimes they can get into the car but not out of it.”

Besides locking doors, everyone can be on the lookout for children left in cars. The Texas Good Samaritan Law allows you to rescue a child in a hot car if five conditions are met.

Tips for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children

Research shows the majority of people are in overdrive and functioning on autopilot. Be on alert if there is a change in routine such as dad dropping off the child at daycare instead of mom and proactively plan for it. Leave an important belonging such as a shoe or purse in the backseat by the child so you automatically go there before walking away from the car.

“I know some couples who text each other every morning after dropping off their child at daycare,” Humphreys said. “That way if one parent doesn’t receive their daily text, they can double check to be sure the child is OK.”

ACT – Prevention Method

Avoid heatstroke-related injury by never leaving a child alone in a car, not even during a quick trip into a store. Always lock your doors and trunks — including in your driveway or garage. If a child is missing, check the pool and water sources first, then check vehicles, including trunks.

Create reminders. Keep a stuffed animal or other mementos in your child's seat when it's empty and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. Or place and secure your phone, briefcase or purse in the backseat when traveling.

“One kind of memory is based on repetitive actions,” Humphreys said. “By using one of these methods every time you drive the car, it will become a habit.”

Take Action. If you see a child alone in a car, take action. Call 911.

More info:

Good Samaritan Law in Texas for removing certain persons from a vehicle (texas.gov)

But what about during summer break, when there’s no recess or PE teacher to organize their workouts? How can parents motivate kids of all ages to stay physically active during the hottest months of the year?  

The experts at Cook Children’s recommend making exercise a routine part of the day for the whole family. Aim for a variety of fun and simple ways to get everybody up and moving. Games that involve physical exertion – anything from playing tag, to jumping rope, or throwing a baseball – can strengthen the body and boost the mood.

At every well-child visit, Christina Sherrod, M.D. talks with her patients at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Southlake about the importance of physical activity for improving sleep, protecting against heart disease, preventing obesity and other health benefits. Dr. Sherrod encourages parents to be especially intentional about making exercise a priority during the months when school is out.  

The best strategy to get children and teens off the couch, she said, is to do sports or other activities together. Go outside during the cooler morning and evening hours.

“Join in with your kid doing physical activity in a way that’s fun, and they don’t even realize they’re getting exercise while they’re doing it,” Dr. Sherrod said.

As a mom to 9 and 7-year-olds, Dr. Sherrod speaks with experience about favorite ways to burn energy with kids in the summer. Her family likes to swim, throw water balloons, run through the sprinkler, and kick around the soccer ball. Do what you enjoy, she advises.

“For people who didn’t care for P.E. class, when they think of physical activity it sounds like a negative,” she said. If going for a 30-minute run doesn’t sound appealing, she suggests to her adolescent patients that they walk the dog, stroll around the mall, go on a hike, sign up for a dance class, or try yoga.

Dr. Sherrod wants parents to know that their own example of regular exercise can inspire their children and teens. Also, screen time should be limited. Too much TV, computer games and scrolling on social media contribute to a habit of sedentary choices.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 60 minutes or more of exercise for children and adolescents each day. Benefits of regular physical activity include building strength in muscles and bone density, more flexibility, improved coordination, leaner body mass and increased stamina. Physical activity also helps promote self-esteem and psychological well-being.

The AAP provides this exercise guidance:

• The emphasis for preschoolers should be on play. Motor skills such as hopping, climbing and skipping help young children develop coordination and balance. “Engaging young children in structured and unstructured play promotes the joy of movement, a sense of control and the ability to navigate the body through space.”
• For older children and teens, include moderate or vigorous aerobic physical activities such as dancing, bicycling and basketball. Focus on skill development more than the competition.
• Encourage children with special health concerns to participate as much as they’re able, allowing for adaptations that create a positive experience. 
• Guard against sunburn, heat exhaustion and dehydration by taking precautions outdoors in the summer. Use sunscreen. Drink lots of fluids.

Todd Johnson, M.D. at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Allen highlighted the role of exercise in developing resilience, mindfulness and the ability to manage stress. Physical activity can also build self-confidence and social interaction with peers, Dr. Johnson said.    

He points out that exercise can be incorporated into everyday life, including chores and responsibilities around the house. 

“Sometimes we think physical activity is something that has to be structured and complex, and there are too many moving parts, and we get discouraged,” Dr. Johnson said. “But it can be as simple as planting flowers together, pulling weeds, riding bikes.” 

The recommended 60 minutes can occur throughout the day in smaller increments. Eating and sleeping habits tend to improve when children and adolescents get regular exercise, he said. 

“It helps teenagers with their energy levels. It spaces out eating so that they have better hunger cues. They’re better at drinking water when they’re out and active in the summertime, and it’s easier to structure a normal bedtime.”

The father of seven children – ages 21, 18, 15, 12, 10, 6, and 3 – Dr. Johnson sees a wide range of interest and ability when it comes to physical fitness. His older children prefer team sports and camps while the younger ones enjoy parks and zoos. As a general rule in the Johnson household, everyone goes outdoors to kick balls, shoot baskets, swim or do other activities before they get on their electronic devices.  

Dr. Johnson urges families to explore local parks, museums and hiking trails not only as an exercise outing but to create happy memories and traditions. His own kids made a bucket list that includes kite flying and miniature golf.  

The bottom line is to help students stay in shape over the summer … play active games, aim for an hour daily, and set boundaries on phone/computer use. Dr. Sherrod emphasized the fun factor and simplicity of hide-and-seek or soccer in the yard.

“Parents tend to know the importance of exercise, and kids seem to be aware as well. But all of us need reminders to stay on track and continue healthy habits,” she said. 

Fiber is a part of plant foods (ex: whole grains, vegetables, fruit) that our bodies can’t digest.

There are two types: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is most helpful for lowering cholesterol, and insoluble fiber is like a scrub brush that helps to prevent constipation. Most foods deliver a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber.

Most children and adults alike aren’t getting enough fiber in their diet each day. Are you?

Here is a table of recommended intakes:

To increase fiber intake, eat more vegetables, choose fruit instead of fruit juice, and choose whole grains such as brown rice instead of white rice. Be careful to increase fiber slowly, and increase water intake as you do to avoid bloating and gas.  

So, add some fiber to your summertime cookouts!

Grilling vegetables adds a new dimension to their flavor. Slice vegetables with skin still intact, brush with some olive oil, season to taste, and toss on the grill. You can add grilled bell pepper or onion to your sandwiches, or make a side of grilled vegetables to go with your meal. Try this recipe to get started.

If grilling vegetables doesn’t appeal to you, here are a few other options:

• Try a variety of vegetables dipped in salsa, hummus or light ranch dressing.
• Add a fruit salad for a side or dessert.
• Choose whole wheat buns for sandwiches.

* Moshfegh A, Goldman J, Cleveland L. What We Eat in America, NHANES 2001-2002: Usual Nutrient Intake From Foods as Compared to Dietary Reference Intakes. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2005.

About the author

Lauren Mullins is a clinical dietitian for the Endocrinology department’s REACH clinic at Cook Children’s.