Table 3.

Possible paediatric crisis measures and mitigation strategies for heat waves, adapted from^{43 44}

Purpose	Measure
Ensure sufficient fluid intake (drinking)	Increase fluid intake without waiting to feel thirsty. Raise awareness to caregivers to be alert to hydration levels in children, in particular bedridden or cognitively impaired individuals.
Avoid increase of body temperature (cooling)	Establish cooling centres. Ensure intuitive and transparent awareness of localisation and opening times and stock with first aid materials, drinking water, games or activities for children. Establish spray parks and provide cooling services for children, ranging from toddlers to teens.
Educate caregivers (schools and childcare providers) and parents	Ensure that adequate cooling measures are in place. Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day. Educate children on actions to reduce heat risks, which they can then share at home. Ensure that schoolchildren have adequate access to water and cool areas to rest.
Protect vulnerable populations	Organise home outreach visits to vulnerable people. Evacuate vulnerable people from their homes to cooling centres.
Ensure medication safety for individuals with chronic health conditions	Consider drug interference with sweating, thermoregulation, thirst, hydration, electrolyte balance, renal function, blood pressure, level of alertness and potentially increased toxicity due to dehydration. Check if medications need to be stored in a refrigerator.