Buzz
Improper use of air conditioning can lead to young children being prone to sore throats, runny noses, bronchitis, or even more severe conditions such as pneumonia, respiratory infections, etc. In this article, Mytour Supermarket would like to share some important considerations when using air conditioning for families with young children to help parents better understand!
Limited Time in Air Conditioning to 2-3 Hours per Session
The maximum time for a child to stay in air conditioning should only be 2-3 hours per session, even if the temperature is extremely hot. This means that every 2-3 hours, you should let your child spend 10-15 minutes outside at normal room temperature. This is also the time to ventilate the room and let sunlight in.
Avoid leaving the child in the air conditioning all night as the temperature tends to drop lower than during the day, so set the automatic timer to turn off after 2-3 hours of use. Additionally, you can use a fan as an alternative to keep the child cool without waking them up.
Leaving young children in an air-conditioned room for more than 3 hours can cause dry skin, dehydration, and respiratory problems.
Adjust the Air Conditioner Temperature to 26-28 Degrees Celsius
Infants and young children cannot regulate body temperature like adults. The normal body temperature of a child is about 36.5 - 37.5 degrees Celsius. Depending on the age of the child, parents should pay attention to the appropriate temperature. Children under 3 years old should only have the air conditioning set to around 26 - 27 degrees Celsius, while infants need even more attention, only setting it to around 28-29 degrees Celsius and always dressing them warmly, wearing mittens, socks, hats, and covering them with a thin blanket to prevent them from getting cold.
Maintain a temperature of 26 – 28 degrees Celsius for infants and toddlers for optimal comfort.
Avoid placing the air conditioner directly towards the sleeping area of children.
The respiratory system of infants and young children is highly sensitive. Direct exposure to cold air blowing onto their sleeping area can lead to respiratory problems such as respiratory allergies, nasal inflammation, bronchitis, pneumonia, and sore throat. It is best to position the air conditioner higher up, avoiding direct airflow towards the child's sleeping area, and not setting the fan speed too high. Parents should also pay attention to adjusting the fan rotation mode to prevent airflow from blowing directly into one spot. Additionally, ensure the child stays warm by using blankets and dressing warmly, such as wearing long-sleeved clothes, socks, mittens, and covering the neck and abdomen.
Avoid suddenly taking children outside.
Abrupt temperature differences between indoors and outdoors due to air conditioning can cause thermal shock in children, affecting their immune system and making them prone to fever, colds, and coughs. If you want to take children outside, turn off the air conditioner, open the door for 3 minutes beforehand, allowing the child to play nearby to acclimatize to the warmer outdoor air. Only take the child outside when the indoor temperature is close to the outdoor temperature.
Regularly clean the room with the air conditioner on.
If the air conditioner is frequently used, families should pay attention to keeping the room clean to prevent bacteria from coming into contact with the baby, which can make them susceptible to illness. After running the air conditioner overnight, it's advisable to open the room door to allow air circulation and push any remaining harmful gases out of the room.
Dust and clean the air-conditioned room regularly.
Furthermore, it's important to regularly sweep and tidy up the room to prevent it from becoming stuffy and susceptible to mold and bacterial infestation.
Regularly maintain the air conditioner
Air conditioners, if used for prolonged periods, need regular maintenance to avoid causing health problems for users. Especially in the summer, continuous use of the air conditioner can lead to bacterial buildup, making young children prone to illness. It's necessary to regularly clean the air conditioner, about 2 – 3 times a month, to ensure it runs efficiently and saves electricity. Cleaning the air conditioner regularly helps prevent dust buildup on the air filter, which can cause unpleasant odors and create conditions for bacteria growth.
Ensure adequate water intake and mosquito control for children
When staying in a room with air conditioning for an extended period, children need to drink water regularly to ensure adequate hydration for their bodies and to avoid dry skin. Dry air can also make children more prone to nasal inflammation and respiratory infections.
Parents should regularly administer saline nasal spray to children and clean their nasal passages because dry nasal passages and exposure to bacteria and dust can make children more susceptible to air conditioning-related illnesses. Parents should also avoid allowing children to pick their noses as it can increase the risk of infection. Infants have fragile immune systems, so when placing them in air-conditioned rooms during hot weather, parents should remember these precautions.
Regularly clean the child's nasal passages
With the important considerations for using air conditioning in households with young children that Mytour just shared, hopefully, you will gain valuable experiences to ensure your child's health when using air conditioning.
