08/19/2026
☀️ Keep Young Athletes Safe in the Heat! 🏃♀️🏈
School is back in session and so are athletics. This hot weather can make practices and games more challenging—and increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related illness. Help your young athletes stay safe this season with these simple reminders (a lot of which they can do at home!!):
💧 Hydrate often: Encourage athletes to drink water regularly BEFORE, during, and after practice—not just when they feel thirsty. Encourage proper nutrition and a drink with sodium when needed to replenish sodium lost in sweat.
😴 Get enough sleep: your body needs all of the different cycles of sleep to get your body ready for the next day and to better handle the external factors, such as the temperature. Turn the screens off and get some shut eye.
👕 Dress for the heat: Choose lightweight, light-colored, breathable clothing. If clothes become soaked with sweat, change into dry clothes when possible.
⏸️ Take regular breaks: Rest in the shade and allow plenty of time to cool down, especially during hot and humid weather.
👀 Know the warning signs: Headache, dizziness, thirst, dry or sticky mouth, muscle cramps, and unusual fatigue can be signs of dehydration. Tell a coach RIGHT AWAY if you feel sick or unwell. Don't let embarrassment keep an athlete on the field when they aren't feeling well.
🌡️ Coaches: Consider heat and humidity when planning practices, avoid the hottest part of the day when possible, provide frequent water breaks, and give athletes adequate opportunities to rest and cool down.
For more information and resources, visit
People who exercise on hot days are more likely to become dehydrated and get heat-related illness.
