I really wonder why certain parents or caregivers of infants don't consider the danger and possible fatalities that heat can cause before taking them outdoors.
In the past month, I have seen dozens of infants, even a few newborns, being pushed in tiny fold-up strollers without fold-out sun visors or umbrellas. These poor little ones weren't even wearing sun hats to protect them even when being pushed directly into the sun.
When children are that tiny, dressing them in less clothing is not always best because you're just exposing more of their delicate skin to the harsh rays of the sun. On several occasions, I've seen groups of people gathering on street corners or sidewalks with their three or four strollers containing barely dressed babies fully exposed to the sun.
My 8-year-old grandson plays baseball, and he just started his second league of the season. At both fields there have been the same situation. Infants baking in the sun while a family member or friend plays ball.
One particular night I was extremely furious. A woman sitting by us was holding a poor little bald-headed baby girl about 3 or 4 months old with a beet red face wearing nothing but a onesie. The sun was so hot we, the adults, were soaked from sweating. Sitting on the bleachers next to the woman and the baby was a bottle of formula. Well, after trying to entertain and distract the baby between the man with her and a boy about 10-years-old, she finally after 30 to 45 minutes picked up that bottle that had been sitting in the blazing sun and tried feeding it to the baby who let out a horrendous scream. Luckily for that poor little one, it was only a scrimmage and was over right after that.
Parents, grandparents and caregivers of not only infants and babies but also of the elderly. Heat and humidity can be extremely dangerous and often deadly just the same as the rays from the sun. Make sure you and those you're responsible for are well protected from the sun and heat, properly coated with suncream, and given plenty of cold fluids to drink.
Unfortunately, there are some elderly citizens who can't speak for themselves or help themselves, and obviously newborn and infant babies can't tell you they're too hot or they're thirsty. Wake up.
Wanda Gonzales, Juniata
