Medical experts are warning parents to make sure their children wear hats, sunscreen and shoes after a number of children were treated for burns during Adelaide's recent heatwave.

Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital have treated 12 children in the past week for burns injuries caused by touching hot objects or walking barefoot.

Head of the hospital's burns unit Dr Bernard Carney said children's skin was extremely sensitive.

"One in particular required admission for a period of approximately 10 days with dressings over that period of time which were quite painful for the child," Dr Carney said.

"Contacting hot objects such as buckles, concrete or asphalt and not understanding children's skin is more fragile than adult skin and requires a shorter duration of contact to create a burn.

"I think the important thing is that parents just take a moment prior to going outside or putting a child in the car to think about the child's safety."

Parents are also advised to check the temperature of surfaces, including playground equipment.

"Children's reflexes are slower and often especially in young children it's difficult for them to remove themselves from an area where they might be causing themselves harm," Dr Carney said.

Linda Quinn and Dr Bernard Carney from Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital. ( ABC News: Elise Fantin )

The hospital's advanced clinical practice burns consultant Linda Quinn said parents could take simple steps to protect their children, including making sure their child was wearing shoes when outside.

"Avoiding the hottest part of the day between 11am and 4pm, always using an SPF 30+ and mechanical protection so hats and long sleeves," she said.

She said the burns unit did see a spike in heat-related injuries during summer.

"The first aid for burn injury is 20 minutes of cold running water and then if there's blistering cover that and seek medical attention," she said.

About six children were treated for sunburn last week.