Back-to-School Survival Guide: If your kids have to be out in the heat over the next couple of weeks, read up on managing their hydration and acclimation.

Unless you’ve just arrived home from a three-week Canadian vacation, you know that the Dallas area is undergoing a record heat wave. Temps are going to be at 100°+ all week long, according to WFAA.

Obviously, the best choice for most of us is to keep the kiddos inside. Even at the pool or splash park, they are in the direct sun. Sunburn isn’t the only risk; proper hydration and heat stroke are serious concerns when it’s this hot.

But if your kids are starting practice for Frisco Football League or FFL Cheer soon, or another area youth football program, you might not have the option to keep them inside. Same for your MS and HS athletes who are about to begin back-to-school practices… even if the mercury drops, we’re still likely to see 90°-100° temps till well after school starts.

Kids are especially prone to heat illness because they don’t sweat as much as adults. Plus, they don’t think to monitor themselves for symptoms like flushing, dry mouth, crankiness or dizziness.

And if the athletes are practicing in pads and gear, their body temps can get even higher. And kids are likely to arrive at practice already dehydrated, say studies by groups such as the USA Football’s Health and Safety Committee.

So before your little ones get out in the sun for team practices, start now by talking about the importance of hydration, and getting them gradually accustomed to being outdoors and active in the heat.

And don’t wait till outdoor practice starts to get their fluids up. A child should be fully hydrated before hitting the field.

Download this Parents and Coaches’ Guide to Hydration from the National Safe Kids Campaign and the National Athletic Trainers Association. Talk to your kid about how to be healthy and play healthy, and be sure to have an open dialogue with your team’s coaches about any concerns you have around practice, hydration, or the heat.

And read more at the FFL Hydration and Nutrition webpage, and check out pediatrician Dr. Greene’s article about identifying and avoiding heat stroke in kids.

This is Texas, and we love our football and cheer… but every kid needs to be prepared for the heat before getting out there and over-exerting.

Play safe, play healthy, play Savvy!