ORANGE, CALIFORNIA — Human-caused climate change is making heat waves longer, stronger and more widespread, prompting pediatricians to update their guidance for families. Dr. Katherine Williamson, a pediatrician with Rady Children’s Health in Orange, California, is advising parents to treat extreme heat as a common childhood injury risk.

Williamson emphasized that the conversation around child safety is evolving to include temperature-related dangers. "We talk about drowning and choking with toddlers, and now we’re starting to add in heat," she said.

According to Williamson, excessive heat has shifted from a rare occurrence to a regular concern for caregivers. "It’s become something that’s more commonplace as a potential injury," she said. Increased irritability could indicate a child is too hot, Williamson noted, serving as an early warning sign for parents.

Children face unique physiological challenges in high temperatures because they sweat less than adults and have a higher metabolism that makes them hot faster. In extreme heat, a child's higher surface area-to-mass ratio increases heat absorption, making them more vulnerable to rapid temperature changes.

Fatigue and flushed skin likely mean a child needs a break to cool off, though these are not necessarily signs of illness. For infants, a lack of tears or regular wet diapers could indicate dehydration. Parents should feed infants in smaller quantities more frequently to ensure they are getting enough fluid during hot weather.

General advice for protecting children includes avoiding going out during the hottest parts of the day and dressing kids in loose, light-colored clothing. Caregivers should also apply sunscreen and ensure children are getting enough fluids. Water-rich fruits such as watermelon and strawberries are recommended snacks in the heat to help maintain hydration levels.

When using strollers, parents are advised to use a canopy for shade instead of covering a stroller with blankets. Blankets and other coverings on a stroller prevent air from circulating and trap heat that can raise the temperature in the stroller. Williamson also advises parents to check metal parts that can heat up and burn children.

Vehicles present a danger as car temperatures can rise dramatically in a short amount of time even in the shade and with open windows. In 2025, 31 children died of heat stroke in vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency recommends caregivers leave a purse or other personal item in the back seat, write a note or place a stuffed animal on the passenger seat to ensure they don’t forget a child inside.

Caregivers are advised to ensure the metal parts of a car seat are not too hot if returning to a parked car with a baby on a hot day. Experts recommend using a sun shade to keep a car interior cooler and turning on the air conditioning in advance. To cool a hot car, experts recommend opening the windows for 10 to 20 seconds while running the air conditioning.