It’s that time of year when scorching temperatures settle across much of the United States. But summer is also when families head to the park, take neighborhood walks and gather for backyard cookouts. As the heat increases, though, even a short time outside can become dangerous for babies and young children.
As extreme heat becomes more common across the United States, pediatricians say infants and toddlers are among the most vulnerable to heat-related illness because their bodies do not cool themselves as well as adults. Experts want parents to know the warning signs and take simple steps to keep children safe.
“We talk about drowning and choking with toddlers, and now we’re starting to add in heat,” Dr. Katherine Williamson, a pediatrician with Rady Children’s Health in Orange, California, told ABC News. “It’s become something that’s more commonplace as a potential injury.”
Extreme heat does not affect every community the same way.
According to a report from Moms Clean Air Force, Black families are more likely to live in neighborhoods that experience higher temperatures because they have fewer trees, more concrete and asphalt, and higher levels of air pollution.
These areas, often called urban heat islands, can become significantly hotter than nearby neighborhoods.
The report points to Black people being more likely than white people to live in these hotter neighborhoods, a pattern Moms Clean Air Force says is connected to decades of discriminatory housing practices known as redlining.
Those higher temperatures can increase the risk of heat-related illness, especially for babies, older adults and people with chronic health conditions.
The report also noted that hotter weather can worsen air pollution, including ozone and fine particle pollution, both of which can trigger asthma attacks. That is especially concerning because federal health data show Black children have much higher asthma rates and are more likely to die from asthma than white children.
In fact, Black children have nearly double the asthma rate of white children;
11.1 percent vs. 5.6 percent, according to a report from the U.S. Office of Minority Health (HHS).
Overall, federal health officials reported that Black Americans have the highest asthma mortality rates, and Black children experience disproportionately severe outcomes, including higher hospitalization and death rates.
RELATED: Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke: How To Protect Your Children
Children heat up faster than adults for several reasons. According to pediatricians interviewed by ABC News, babies and young children sweat less, have faster metabolisms and absorb heat more quickly because of their body size. They also spend more time playing outdoors during the summer.
This means parents should watch closely for early signs of dehydration or heat‑related illness.
According to the CDC, symptoms of dehydration in babies and young children can include no tears when crying, fewer wet diapers, unusual fussiness, and fatigue. The CDC also noted that hot, flushed skin and irritability can be early signs of heat stress and signal that a child needs to cool down.
“If you’re hot, your baby sure is going to be hot,” Dr. Debra Langlois, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, told ABC News. Williamson recommended feeding infants smaller amounts more often during hot weather to help them stay hydrated. Older children should drink water regularly, even before they say they are thirsty.
Doctors recommend avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, and the CDC says children should wear lightweight, loose‑fitting, light‑colored clothing when it’s hot. Sunscreen can be used on children older than six months, and younger babies should be kept in the shade. For young children, pediatricians and dermatologists recommend 100% mineral-based, broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher. Experts recommend applying sunscreen roughly 30 minutes before any sun or water exposure. For optimal protection, reapply every two hours during dry activities, or every 30 minutes if children are playing in the water, ensuring careful coverage of the nose, ears, neck, hands, and feet. Children’s Health provides a guide on choosing the right sunscreen here.
The CDC also advises offering fluids often to keep kids hydrated. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, daily total fluid needs vary by age. General recommendations include about 4 cups (30 oz) for ages 1–3, 5 cups (40 oz) for ages 4–8, and 7–11 cups for older children and teens, with extra water needed during hot weather or sports.
Babies should continue regular breastmilk or formula feeds, while older children should drink water throughout the day. Water‑rich foods like watermelon or strawberries can help older kids stay hydrated.
Parents should check playground equipment, metal buckles and stroller parts because they can heat up enough to burn a child’s skin. Experts also warn against covering a stroller with a blanket, since it can trap heat and raise the temperature around the child.
Although it may seem like a good way to block the sun, blankets reduce airflow and can trap dangerous heat inside the stroller. Instead, use the stroller’s built-in canopy or another shade designed to allow air to circulate.
Parents should seek medical care right away if a child develops symptoms such as a high body temperature, confusion, difficulty waking up, trouble breathing, vomiting that won’t stop or signs of heat stroke.
For milder symptoms such as dehydration, unusual fussiness or flushed skin, move the child to a cool place immediately, offer fluids if appropriate and monitor them closely. If symptoms do not improve or worsen, contact your pediatrician.
As summers continue to get hotter, experts say heat safety should become as routine for parents as applying sunscreen or buckling a car seat. A few simple precautions can help babies and young children stay healthy while still enjoying time outdoors.
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