How to keep babies safe when temperatures soar

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/how-to-keep-babies-safe-when-temperatures-soar Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter How to keep babies safe when temperatures soar Science Jul 20, 2026 12:44 PM EDT 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? Grow your mind Subscribe to our Science Newsletter to explore the wide worlds of science, health and technology. 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: Regulating body temperature is a challenge 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. Kids also tend to spend more time outdoors. READ MORE: How to stay cool and safe in a heat wave, even without air conditioning 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. Tips for keeping them safe 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. 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