Extreme Heat Can Be Dangerous For Infants: Key Safety Tips For Parents
Essential tips to protect babies during heatwaves.
As heatwaves become longer and more intense, health experts are urging parents and caregivers to take extra precautions to protect infants, toddlers and young children from heat-related illnesses. While outdoor activities remain important for children’s physical and mental development, young children are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures and require careful monitoring during hot weather conditions.
Children are at greater risk of overheating because their bodies respond differently to heat compared with adults. Infants and young children sweat less, have higher metabolic rates and absorb heat faster due to their higher surface area-to-body mass ratio. Their natural tendency to spend more time outdoors also increases their exposure to extreme temperatures, making heat safety an important concern for families during summer months.
Pediatricians advise parents to watch for early signs of heat-related problems, including dehydration, tiredness, flushed skin and increased irritability. A lack of tears while crying or fewer wet diapers may indicate that a baby is not getting enough fluids. Experts recommend feeding infants smaller amounts more frequently and ensuring children stay hydrated through fluids and water-rich foods such as watermelon and strawberries.
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Doctors recommend avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day and dressing children in loose, light-coloured clothing. Sunscreen, shade and regular breaks in cooler areas can help reduce the risk of overheating. However, experts caution against covering strollers with blankets, even thin ones, as they can restrict air circulation and trap heat. Instead, caregivers should use stroller canopies or other shade options that allow airflow.
Vehicle safety is another major concern during heatwaves, as temperatures inside parked cars can rise rapidly even when windows are slightly open or the vehicle is parked in shade. Health authorities warn that children should never be left unattended in cars, and caregivers are advised to use reminders such as placing personal belongings in the back seat to avoid accidental incidents. Before placing a child in a car seat after the vehicle has been parked in the heat, parents should check that metal parts are not dangerously hot.
Experts also recommend cooling a hot vehicle before placing children inside by opening doors or windows briefly and running the air conditioning. As climate change contributes to more frequent and severe heatwaves, doctors say awareness and preventive measures are essential to keeping young children safe while allowing them to enjoy outdoor activities in a responsible manner.
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