We’ve all experienced how hot it can be outdoors during the summer. Every year, the same cautions are issued: don’t leave kids in the vehicle, don’t leave your dog outdoors in the heat, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen.

Summer is a great time for everyone, but there are certain measures to take to ensure that pleasant days in the sun are safe. That’s why a Canadian mother is encouraging parents this week to be wary of the heat, even if their children are inside.

This comes only two weeks after her three-year-old daughter had indoor heatstroke, which may have killed her.
Jenn Abma attempted to wake up Anastasia from her afternoon sleep when the toddler refused to wake up.

“I had a gut feeling something was wrong,” Jenn said. “When I walked upstairs, it was quite hot. It felt like being in a sauna. The curtains were drawn, the windows were open, and she was facing the direct sun. With it being so hot outside, even with the window open, there is no circulation—everything is just heated.”

In her bedroom, Anastasia was hot and suffering from heatstroke. Jenn called 911, and EMS arrived quickly. When they arrived, Anastasia’s body temperature had hit 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and first responders started injecting glucose liquid to raise her critically low blood sugar.

After rescue personnel were able to calm her down, the youngster awoke 15 minutes later. Jenn, who does not have air conditioning, reports that the temperature in her neighborhood that day was 84 degrees. It was hot, but not having a cooling system had never been an issue before.

“This is her first summer in the house, and I was completely unaware that her bedroom got hotter than the rest,” she continued. Jenn says she’s grateful her baby daughter is safe, but it’s frightening to think about what may have happened if she hadn’t gone to wake her up when she did.

“No, it is not my fault that this happened to her, but it is difficult not to blame yourself,” Abma said on Instagram. “This is a lesson learned, and hopefully other parents can take something from it. Make sure you are checking the rooms in your house because they can be as dangerous as a hot car.” “I’m still shaken, and I can’t imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t gone to check on her.”

Jenn has purchased an oscillating fan and heat-resistant drapes for Anastasia’s bedroom after the incident to ensure she is comfortable and cool while sleeping.

According to Mayo Clinic specialists, heatstroke happens when a person’s body temperature is pushed to increase excessively as a consequence of their surroundings. It may happen inside, as it did with Anastasia, or it can happen anywhere, even lying out by the pool, where the sun is blazing down and raising your body temperature.

Both a person’s body type and their environment can contribute to heatstroke. Smaller people, particularly youngsters with less “volume,” will heat up faster than a normal adult.