The younger the infant, the higher his risk of over-heating in extremely hot places. Keep offering drinks but not colas and other caffeine-containing drinks which act a diuretics and rid the body of fluid, and do not withhold salt during meals for older children. If you go to the tropics where it is very humid then salt tablets may be needed so ask your doctor. Humidity may be worse after midday as humidity rises as throughout the day.

When inside small children need wear nothing but a nappy or pants. And splashing in tepid water will cool a hot fractious child. Outside put on loose fitting, 100% cotton clothes; T-shirts are hotter than floppy thin cottons; and be careful of direct sunlight, even inside vehicles. Legionnaires hats and other styles that protect the nape of the neck are recommended at this is evidentially the area of the body that is directly connected to the brain's temperature regulation system. Heat exhaustion is common in people stuck in traffic jams in tropical cities, so if possible avoid car travel unless you have air conditioning. Never leave your child unattended in a car; cars can act like a garden greenhouse slowly cooking anyone inside.

A child who, after being energetic in the heat, becomes lethargic, flushed and very sweaty is probably over-heated and needs to sit in a shady place, drink and cool off. If the child is nauseated heatstroke may be setting in and active steps need to be taken to cool him; remove his clothes and fan and sponge with a wet cloth dipped in tepid water and call for medical assistance.

Heatstroke is sometimes erroneously called sunstroke; but it is caused by the heat rather than by exposure to sun.