Hot, Humid Conditions sn Extra Danger to Kids.

• Position: HEAT DOMES

When a heat dome--higher temperatures combined with high humidity levels--comes along, parents of babies and young children face unique, weather-related challenges. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, children can become overheated up to five times faster than adults, as they do not have as many sweat glands and their body-to-surface ratio is different, making it harder to regulate internal temperatures.

"Because children's reserves are smaller, it's easier for them to become dehydrated," says Dennis Woo, a pediatrician at UCLA Medical Center. Moreover, "very young children can't tell us when they're too hot, so it's important for parents to recognize the early signs of a heat-related problem."

Signs of overheating in newborns include damp head or neck, redder-than-usual face, rash, rapid breathing, or hot chest. More serious symptoms requiring immediate medical attention are a temperature above 102[degrees]F or nausea and vomiting.

Woo offers the following tips for protecting babies and young children from the heat:

* Avoid going outside, if possible, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures are highest and the sun's rays strongest.

* Be aware that high temperatures are not the lone risk factor. If the humidity level is high, it can prevent the body's internal cooling mechanism (sweating) from working effectively. Because children are smaller, they likely will be more affected by humidity--and overheat sooner--than adults.

* Keep children well hydrated. Remember, they may not tell you they are thirsty or need a drink, but offer plenty of fluids. Water is best for children six months or older.

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