WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - With summer approaching quickly, pediatricians are making sure parents know the best way to keep kids safe in the hot weather.

Dr. Richard So, a pediatrician at the Cleveland Clinic, said parents often worry about the heat affecting their children’s health.

“The one thing we are always worried about, that parents are worried about is heat illness I don’t want my kid to get sick and there is different levels of heat illness the first one that you will usually see is kids they’ll get exhausted there is something called heat exhaustion that’s the one where they are really tired, they can get secondary to dehydration,” he said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wichita County President, Jean Hall, said her nonprofit offers programs in their organization for children to engage in indoor activities and prevent heat exposure.

“If you have a child who may be on their own and may be in that situation, where they’ll be spending a lot of time in the heat or without a lot of great options then I would encourage them to come check out, our program and enroll them in Big Brothers Big Sisters to get a mentor and then we’ll be providing them those opportunities for them to come and engaged with us in an air conditioned gym.“ she said.

Experts said engaging in indoor activities is essential in the heat we experience in Wichita Falls, especially when warning signs for heat exhaustion, like vomiting or dizziness, can already feel intense for children.

“The recommendations usually are that you’re not outside for a long period of time during the hottest hours, like between ten and six, so again we encourage kids to especially during those times to be indoors and find somewhere that is safe but where they can still move around so they can.”

In relation to skin health, Dr. So wants to remind parents that the most crucial defense against sunburn is lotion-based sunscreen. At least SPF 30 or higher, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“With rising temperatures and school out, kids are definitely going to be outside, they’re going to be playing in the playgrounds, they’re going to be at the pools, well, the number one thing take them out of the sun and put them in shade.”