Mum's Warning About Children's Garden Toys During Heatwave

The UK is currently enduring its longest heatwave in four years and now, one mum has issued an important warning about children's garden toys.

Louise Blundell, 41, was shocked to see a large burn on her 16-month-old daughter's leg as she played outside in the recent hot weather and quickly realised it was from her toys.

The incident took place on Sunday (July 10) in Norwich, Norfolk, where temperatures soared to as high as 26C.

Louise, an education advisor, is now warning other parents that toys can get seriously hot after Harriet was scolded by a tricycle with a plastic seat.

SWNS

The 18-month-old was left with a three-inch-long burn on her leg as a result.

Louise said: "I changed her nappy after dinner and saw this deep red mark. Later in the evening we had a cold bath and the mark went from red to white.

"I don't want people's children to suffer [like this]. Play equipment is hotter than you think. I thought it was fine but I realised there's a lasting affect from the sun."

The toddler, thankfully, did not appear in pain after the incident.

Her mum has explained that she is being treated with cream to the affected area, which is now healing.

SWNS

Harriet's story comes after a warning was issued to parents about using paddling pools in the heatwave too.

This is because they can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and bugs if they are not cleaned out on a daily basis.

Homehow's Joyce French told The Sun: "As the warm weather settles in, more people are digging out their paddling pools to entertain the children in the family.

"If you are using a paddling pool regularly, it is important that you clean it and empty it on a daily basis. This is important to prevent bacteria from lurking in your paddling pool."

Alamy

It's also worth noting that just being submerged in water won't protect a child's skin from the sun's rays, so it's important that they are wearing suncream too.

The Met Office has issued some handy additional tips as temperatures are expected to peak early next week.

They advise that, where possible, you should keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm as this is when the sun's UV rays are at their strongest.

Naturally, they also advise drinking plenty of fluids and if you're a grown-up, avoid excess alcohol in the heat.

The full list of tips is available here. Remember to enjoy the sun - but safely!