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Last updated on Friday, July 6, 2012
(UNDATED) - The Indiana Department of Child Services has a warning out to watch children during extreme temperatures.
Also, the state Family Social Services Administration wants parents to report any heat-related issues at day cares
Only licensed centers are regulated when it comes to the amount of time children can spend outside in extreme temperatures. When the temperature or heat index reaches 90 degrees, infants and young children should not play outdoors, and older children can only play for limited periods of time.
Day cares are taking extra precautions during the heat, such as playing inside during the hottest parts of the day and are watching children closely.
The state does not regulate home day cares and registered ministries on outdoor play time during hot or cold weather.
Licensed day cares and licensed home day cares are both required to provide drinking water to children.
Licensed day cares are required to keep the inside 78 degrees or cooler during the summer.
FSSA says parents need to be aware that day cares, and even camps and summer programs, vary greatly when it comes to regulations.
Dr. Robert Collins, an emergency room doctor with Riley at IU Health, says parents and day care workers need to look for signs of heat exhaustion and stroke, including if a child stops sweating. Collins says children will become confused, acting abnormal and could have repeated vomiting. The child should be taken to the hospital right away.
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