How to keep babies safe when temperatures soar

How to keep babies safe when temperatures soar 1 of 2 | A woman holds a fan in front of a bottle-fed baby at the Great American State Fair, during an extreme heat wave, Friday, July 3, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) 2 of 2 | Lexis Aubile watches her son, Atticus, play in the water as they try to beat the heat at Ramona Park in Portage, Mich., on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (Devin Anderson-Torrez/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP) By The Associated Press Updated 1:12 PM MESZ, July 20, 2026 Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Infants, toddlers and young children need outdoor activity to build strong bodies and minds, but they also require extra care in the heat. In the summer months, those twin imperatives can make parents anxious. How long should kids be out? How do I know they’re OK? What should I avoid? Human-caused Climate Change is making heat waves longer, stronger and more widespread. Much of the U.S. sweltered last week under a heat dome. That shift makes questions about keeping babies safe more pressing, said Dr. Katherine Williamson, a pediatrician with Rady Children’s Health in Orange, California. “We talk about drowning and choking with toddlers, and now we’re starting to add in heat,” she said. “It’s become something that’s more commonplace as a potential injury.” Here is why children are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, and some do’s and don’ts to keep them safe: Children sweat less than adults and have a higher metabolism that makes them hot faster. In extreme heat, their higher surface area-to-mass ratio increases heat absorption. On hot days, parents need to be vigilant about the signs of heat illness. A lack of tears or regular wet diapers could indicate your baby is dehydrated. Parents should feed infants in smaller quantities more frequently to make sure they are getting enough fluid. Though not necessarily signs of illness, fatigue and flushed skin likely mean your child needs a break to cool off. Williamson said increased irritability could also indicate your child is too hot. Avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day, dress kids in loose, light-colored clothing, apply sunscreen and make sure they are getting enough fluids. Water-rich fruits such as watermelon and strawberries are great snacks in the heat. “If you’re hot, your baby sure is going to be hot,” said Dr. Debra Langlois, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Langlois said parents and other caregivers should limit the amount of time infants and toddlers are outside in hot weather, but she doesn’t advise remaining strictly indoors at any point. More from Be Well Autoimmune diseases can strike any part of the body, and mostly affect women. Here’s what to know 13 Calisthenics are making a comeback. Is body weight enough to get a good workout? 24 Gut microbiome tests are everywhere. Should you get one? 12 Don’t put blankets or other covers on a stroller That advice seems counterintuitive. After all, doesn’t it make sense to shield children from the sun? But blankets and other coverings, even thin ones, prevent air from circulating and trap heat that can raise the temperature in the stroller. Instead, use a canopy for shade. Williamson also advises parents to check metal parts that can heat up and burn children. Even in the shade and with open windows, car temperatures can rise dramatically in a short amount of time. In 2025, 31 children died of heat stroke in vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency recommends caregivers leave a purse or other personal item in the back seat, write a note or place a stuffed animal on the passenger seat to ensure they don’t forget a child inside. If you return to a parked car with your baby on a hot day, ensure the metal parts of the car seat are also not too hot. For extra comfort, use a sun shade to keep the interior cooler and turn on the air conditioning in advance. To cool a hot car, experts recommend opening the windows for 10 to 20 seconds while running the air conditioning.