The UAE is well into its sweltering months, when incidences of heat exhaustion can catch people unawares. Exercising – or even just being – outdoors can result in back-drenching, energy-sapping fatigue.
In such conditions, the “when” and “where” of playtime for children can cause confusion and contention. Medical experts say parents should seek to balance safety with practicality.
Dr Harini Laxminarayan Reddy says: “Children are often more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to their smaller body size and higher metabolic rates than adults. They may not always recognise or articulate when they are overheating, making it essential for caregivers to monitor them closely.”
However, the paediatrics specialist from Aster Clinic Ajman says early morning and late afternoon – before 9am and after 4pm – are safe for outdoor play for most children, if the following five conditions are met:
- Clothing: Dress children in light, loose-fitting and breathable clothing made of natural fabrics such as cotton. Light-coloured clothes are preferable as they reflect sunlight.
- Hydration: Encourage children to drink plenty of fluids, primarily water. Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks as they can lead to dehydration. Providing fruits with high water content like watermelon and cucumbers can also help.
- Sun protection: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on exposed skin, and reapply every two hours or more often if they are swimming or sweating.
- Activities: Encourage playing in shaded areas and using hats and sunglasses to protect against direct sun exposure. Or, ensure children take regular breaks in the shade and avoid vigorous physical activities during peak heat hours.
- Education: Teach children about the importance of staying hydrated and recognising when they need to rest and cool down. Also educate yourself to recognise signs of heat exhaustion, such as heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and muscle cramps. Take immediate action by moving the child to a cooler place, hydrating them and seeking medical attention if necessary.
Experts from the non-profit organisation Save the Children UK have also put together some tips on how to keep children safe in a heatwave, noting that parents should monitor for "dark-coloured urine, which can indicate dehydration; and make sure children get plenty of rest, especially after being active".
Dr Reddy adds: “Outdoor playtime remains important for a child's overall well-being, even during the summer months. Regular outdoor activity helps in physical development, enhances immunity and can improve a child's tolerance to heat over time. However, it is crucial to balance outdoor play with safety to protect children from heat-related illnesses.”
In addition to the above measures, she suggests using “cooling towels, fans or misters to help keep children cool. Also ensure indoor spaces are well-ventilated, and use fans or air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature.”
As the Save the Children UK experts also note, indoor blinds or curtains should be kept closed during the most blistering hours of the day, to keep the heat out.
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THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
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Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
The%20Afghan%20connection
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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Upcoming games
SUNDAY
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)
MONDAY
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Tour de France Stage 16:
165km run from Le Puy-en-Velay to Romans-sur-Isère
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match details
Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
