Infants, Children, and Youth and Heat Illness

an infant in her mother's armsInfants and children up to age 4 are very sensitive to heat and need caregivers to keep them healthy in very hot weather.

Other children likely to have serious problems due to heat are those who don't exercise, are overweight or obese, have been sick from heat before, drink caffeinated drinks, have disabilitites, or other health problems like diabetes.

Why worry about them when it is hot?

  • They Need Help: Children, especially infants and young children, depend on parents or caregivers to make sure they stay cool, have enough to drink, and notice if they are becoming sick from heat.
  • More Body Heat: A child's body makes more heat than an adult's body. 
  • Less Sweat: Children sweat less than adults.
  • Less Fluids: Children often don't drink enough during exercise and when it is hot.

What Parents & Caregivers Can Do

  • Follow the general tips to keep cool, drink fluids, lie low
  • Use air conditioning to keep cool.
  • Dress children in lightweight clothing.
  • Give them a cool bath.
  • Make sure they drink lots of fluids. Water, juices, or sports drinks for children. Breast milk, formula, milk, or drinks like Pedialyte for infants.
  • Check for signs of heat-related illness and dehydration. Signs to look for in young children: less urine, no tears when crying, dry or sticky mouth, crankiness, fatigue.

Car Safety Tips for the Heat

  • Never leave children (or anyone else, or pets) by themselves in a vehicle, even if the windows are down. Never leave a sleeping infant in the car. Always make sure all children have left the car when you get out of the car.
  • Check to make sure your child's car seat and seat belts are not too hot before putting your child in the car, especially if your car has been parked in the sun.
  • Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars.
  • Always lock car doors and trunks, even when at home, and keep keys out of children's reach.

Young football player sitting down, drinking water during a break at practiceTips for Coaches, School or Camp Staff

  • Follow the general tips to keep cool, drink fluids, lie low.
  • Lower the intensity of any physical activity lasting more than 15 minutes, especially if both heat and humidity are high.
  • Be aware that athletes in good condition may be more likely to have heat stroke because they have larger body mass and create more heat.
  • Make young athletes drink fluids like water or a sports drink before practice and every 15 to 60 minutes during practice, even if they are not thirsty.
  • Make young athletes take regular shade and rest breaks, and encourage them to take more rest and water breaks when they need to.
  • Check for signs of heat-related illness and dehydration. Signs to look for in young children: less urine, no tears when crying, dry or sticky mouth, crankiness, fatigue.
  • Have a plan for dealing with heat-related illness.

More Information