Hidden dangers heat poses to you kids

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (CBS2/FOX28) — A parent's job is to constantly look out for their kids.

And on hot days, it's important to be extra vigilant in protecting them from hidden dangers of heat.

Even things we don't give a second thought to can become dangerous in the sun.

Like a metal shopping cart or even the places kids play harbor potential harm.

On beautiful days you'll find playgrounds packed with kids.

But parents, make sure you take a look around before letting your kid loose.

Dr. Mark Pospisil, Emergency Physician at Mercy Medical Clinic says, "Playground equipment is much less metal now than it used to be but there are still things on the playground that are metal."

Like screws on the side of a slide and on play seats.

But even the plastic can heat up, as Tricia Waechter's kids felt.

"I've heard them say oh the slide's too hot," says Waechter.

Dr. Pospisil admits, "I've seen hand burns from grabbing a hold of playground equipment."

"You need to be careful of those materials," Says Dr. Richard Hodge, Director of UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care. "They can be very hot and cause burns."

Some other hidden hot dangers are in the car, especially anything metal.

"Ive seen perfect seatbelt buckle indents in the skin," says Dr. Pospisil.

Even a child's car seat could pose a threat.

"Those can be quite warm so you just want to check those before you put your kid in to make sure you're not exposing them to a burn," says Dr. Hodge.

Dr. Pospisil suggests, "If you can let the car run to cool off a bit before any one gets in that's a good idea."

Most importantly, don't ever leave your kid or pet in a car. To make sure that doesn't happen on accident, put something you need in the back seat with your child or pet, like your purse or your cell phone. That way you can't leave the car without getting your things and checking to make sure the back seat's empty.

When your kids are outside, if they're walking on concrete or asphalt, make sure they're wearing some sort of shoes like sandals or flip flops.

And of course, make sure they're drinking plenty of water, like Waechter's kids.

She says, "They each have their own individual water bottle and we take them everywhere."

Doctors say if your child's super active in the sun and is sweating profusely or isn't sweating at all anymore, it's time to make them take a break.

Some other signs to watch out for that mean it's time to get out of the sun: irritability, fatigue, slowness and nausea.

When it comes to burns, anything worse than red skin or a blister, seek a physician.