Usually,
playing and exercising outside boosts a child's physical and mental health in many ways. However, a heat index at or above 90°F, as identified by the
National Weather Service, poses a significant health risk.
How extreme heat affects children & families
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High temperatures and extreme heat can cause children to become sick very quickly. It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and
heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
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High heat can also make everyone feel more more irritable. Add to that the fact that extreme heat is becoming more common in parts of the U.S. because of climate change. News about ways this is impacting communities and the health of the planet can also be upsetting and stressful.
(See "How to Talk With Children About Climate Change.")
Keep reading (and watch this heat safety video, below) for steps you can take to protect your children from extreme heat as much as possible. Also learn symptoms of heat illness to watch for, and when to call your pediatrician.
Tips to play it cool in extreme heat
When it's very hot, going to the
swimming pool or
beach for a short time or staying inside to work on crafts, reading or playing board games may be a good idea.
Plan ahead if you know there will be several days of high heat in a row.
Try to think of creative ways to have kids switch up their activities and avoid "cabin fever" or restless, irritable feelings when they are home. To help them stay active, suggest some easy yoga stretches, playing
indoor hide-and-seek or making up fun physical challenges that aren't too strenuous.
What to do if you don't have air conditioning at home
If your home does not have air conditioning, find a nearby building that does. Libraries and shopping malls can be great places for a cool retreat from the heat.
If you live in a place where there are frequent
power outages or your air conditioning does not always work, identify a safe place for your family to go during times when temperatures are extremely high and you would otherwise be home. Many towns and cities offer
cooling centers in gyms or other large buildings for those who need relief from the heat.
While you're home, close your window blinds and curtains. Also keep in mind that lower floors tend to be cooler.
Do fans help in hot weather?
Fans may be helpful in cooling down if you have no access to any air conditioning. But, keep these safety tips in mind:
If you do use a fan, keep it at a safe distance from you and your children to avoid safety hazards (such as pinched fingers or fans connecting with water).
Don't point the fan directly at you in extreme heat. Fans can help hot air flow out or draw cooler air into a room. But avoid directing the flow of fans toward yourself when the room temperature is
hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air can raise
dehydration risk.
Ways to beat the heat when you go out
If you are going to be outside, there are several steps you can take to beat the heat and protect your child from heat-related illness and hazards:
Stay hydrated: Encourage your children to
drink water frequently and have it readily available—even before they ask for it. Take water bottles with you if you go out. On hot days, infants being fed breast milk in a bottle can be given additional breast milk in a bottle; however, they should not be given water, especially in the first 6 months of life. Infants receiving formula can be given additional formula in a bottle.
Dress lightly: Light-colored clothing can help kids stay cool and prevent heat stress from excessive heat absorption; darker colored clothes typically provide slightly better
sun protection. Also try to choose loose fitting clothing—ideally clothes that allow enough air flow as well as protection from direct sun exposure. Clothing made with just one layer of absorbent material can help sweat evaporate; this has a cooling effect (kids have lower sweat rates adults). Use plenty of
sunscreen.
Plan for extra rest time: Heat can often make children (and their parents) feel tired. High heat can not only cause people to feel tired, but it may also contribute to irritability. Come inside regularly to cool off, rest and drink water.
Cool off with water. When your child is feeling hot, give them a cool bath or water mist to cool down.
Swimming is another great way to cool off while staying active. Remember that children should always be supervised while swimming or playing in water to
prevent drowning.
Never leave your child alone in a car: The inside of a
car can become dangerously hot in just a short amount of time, even with the windows open.
Watch for signs of heat illness
Contact your pediatrician immediately if your child develops any of these symptoms after prolonged exposure to heat and symptoms don't improve quickly in a cool environment.
Feeling
faint or extremely tired (such as being unusually sleepy, drowsy or hard to arouse)
Confusion
Loss of coordination
Severe or unusual headache
Fever
Intense thirst
Not urinating for many hours
Nausea and/or vomiting
Breathing faster or deeper than normal
Skin numbness or tingling
Muscle aches or spasms
Protecting kids in sports & other outdoor activities during extreme heat
Exercise in high temperature and high humidity puts kids at serious risk for heat illness. It can harm even well-trained athletes. (See "How to Keep Young Athletes & Active Kids Safe in Hot Weather.") It can be especially dangerous when the heat index is greater than 105 degrees F).
Try to schedule heavy activities (sports practice, exercise) during the cooler parts of the day; cancel or delay if it is extremely hot. In some cases, a plan for gradually increasing exercise intensity and duration over a couple weeks to allow time to adjust to the heat may be best. Frequent breaks,
ensuring plenty of water—not sugary drinks—and snacks during activity as well as throughout the day is key. Encouraging a healthy, nutritious diet helps, too.
Also keep in mind that extreme heat and humidity can worsen certain medical conditions, such as asthma or other underlying heart, lung, or kidney disease.
Preventing heat illness at school
Schools should also be sure to take steps to lower the risk of heat-related illness. This includes carefully monitoring children and make sure they stay well hydrated. Young children, in particular, are often unable to recognize if they are getting dehydrated and won't know the steps to take to prevent it.
Arizona—a state with very high summer temperatures—has recognized the need for schools to address student health during extreme heat conditions. State health experts have suggested
several steps schools should take, such as monitoring the National Weather Service HeatRisk page, modifying students' time outside when needed and designing play spaces that help keep kids cool.
Remember
Talk with your child's pediatrician for more guidance on how to protect your child during extreme heat.
More information
About the authors
Dele Davies, MD, MS, MHCM, FAAP, is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children and Disasters Executive Committee. Dr. Davies is the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He also has served on the National Biodefense Science Board for the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, co-chairing its Readiness and Resilience Working Group. Dr. Davies received his MD, as well as a master’s degree in Community Health, from the University of Toronto and holds a degree in health care management from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Clayton Mowrer, DO, MBA, FAAP, is a member of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
 David Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, is an Executive Committee member of the AAP Council on Children and Disasters and Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. He also serves as Director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC.
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