WITH heat health alerts sweeping across England and temperatures set to soar to a scorching 33C this weekend, parents across the country will be desperate to find ways to keep their little ones cool.
But amidst the sweltering heat, there’s a hidden danger lurking in your garden that could leave your child with horrific burns – and it’s not the sun’s rays.
The hosepipe could pose a risk to your kids[/caption]
It might seem like a brilliant idea to give your kids a refreshing spray with the garden hose while a heat health warning is in place.
However, experts have issued a stark warning about the scorching temperatures water inside a hosepipe can reach when left in direct sunlight.
Plus, many parents aren’t aware how many children die of drowning every week in the UK – including in paddling pools.
You may not have plans to use a hosepipe this weekend; after all, a hosepipe ban has come into place in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex, and the South East.
Yorkshire Water brought in restrictions on using hosepipes for activities such as filling paddling pools, while South East Water said demand for drinking water in the counties had reached “record levels since May”, adding: “This situation has left us with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers.”
But whether you’re turning to the garden hose or other ways to cool down, experts say be wary of the risks…
GARDEN HOSE
Every year, the heartbreaking story of a baby who suffered second-degree burns over 30 percent of his body after being sprayed with a garden hose is shared by first-aid experts.
The incident happened in 2016, when mum Dominique Woodger, said she was filling up a paddling pool when she turned on the hose, she accidentally sprayed her nine-month-old baby Nicholas Woodger.
Dominique said at the time: “I thought he was crying because he was mad, because he hates when he gets sprayed in the face. I didn’t think that it was burning him.
“Just be careful. Just touch it before you spray, before you let your kids near it.”
Nicholas Woodger was scalded by hot water from the hosepipe[/caption]
Dr Free N Hess, known for her child safety videos online on TikTok, commented that: “A type of burn that we see in the pediatric ER all the time is burns from the water in the hose outside.
“This particular baby sustained significant burns when his mum picked up the hose outside thinking she was going to cool him off in the summer and [the water] was super, super hot.”
She explained in her video that water in a hose that’s sitting outside in direct sunlight can heat up – and needs to be ran to release the hot water first.
Stacey, who runs Daisy First Aid Redhill & Croydon, shared that firefighters have also reiterated this vital safety message, warning that a garden hose exposed to direct sunlight can heat the water inside to a shocking 54-60 degrees Celsius (130-140 degrees Fahrenheit).
This is hot enough to cause severe burns, particularly to children and animals.
It’s crucial to always run the water for a few minutes until it’s cool before letting children play with it or get sprayed.
But Alex Price, product manager at Outdoor Toys, told The Sun that if the water is too cold, it may be too much for sensitive babies or toddlers.
“Cold water can lead to discomfort, chills, or even hypothermia if young children stay in it for too long,” he said.
How to treat burns and scalds
To treat a burn, follow the first aid advice below:
- immediately get the person away from the heat source to stop the burning
- cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes – do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter
- remove any clothing or jewellery that’s near the burnt area of skin, including babies’ nappies, but do not move anything that’s stuck to the skin
- make sure the person keeps warm by using a blanket, for example, but take care not to rub it against the burnt area
- cover the burn by placing a layer of cling film over it – a clean plastic bag could also be used for burns on your hand
- use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat any pain
- if the face or eyes are burnt, sit up as much as possible, rather than lying down – this helps to reduce swelling
- if it’s an acid or chemical burn, dial 999, carefully try to remove the chemical and any contaminated clothing, and rinse the affected area using as much clean water as possible
Source: NHS
OPEN WATER
The UK’s rivers, lakes, and other waterways might look incredibly inviting this time of year, but these have unpredictable dangers.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jamie Jenkins of the London Fire Brigade has warned against the perilous risks of jumping into open water.
On Friday he stated: “We know people will be looking for ways to cool off during this heatwave, but please don’t be tempted to jump into open water.
“Sadly, we’re currently seeing around two incidents every day where someone is in difficulty in the water.
“Strong currents, underwater hazards, and cold-water shock all pose serious risks.
“Even on hot days, the water can be dangerously cold. Cold water shock can affect anyone, no matter how fit or experienced they are. It can cause involuntary gasping, water inhalation, and in the worst cases, drowning.”
He said to always stick to designated swimming areas.
“If you do find yourself in difficulty, remember the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s ‘Float to Live’ advice: tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax, and try to control your breathing. Use your hands and feet to help you stay afloat.
“And if you see someone else in trouble, never jump in after them. Call 999, encourage them to float on their back, and throw them something that floats.”
PADDLING POOLS
Whether it’s you, your kids or the dog, everyone enjoys a splash in paddling pools at home.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) warned this week that there are three things parents must know about the dangers of paddling pools.
One in three children that die at home did so in paddling pools, hot tubs or ponds, it says.
“It doesn’t take a lot of water,” the charity write on Instagram. “Little ones can drown in just a few cm of water.
“Drowning is silent. A drowning child won’t splash about or cry for help. They’ll slip quietly under the water, often unnoticed.”
It’s a terrifying though – so what can you do? CAPT says to:
- Keep little children in arms reach when they’re in or around the paddling pool.
- If you have to go inside, take your child with you.
- When there’s lots of people around be sure to assign a dedicated water watcher.
Always have someone watching the kids in the paddling pool – drowning is ‘silent’, CAPT says[/caption]
