Many regions of the United States have extreme temperatures and long heat waves. The National Weather Service defines extreme heat as 90 F or above. High temperatures can be dangerous to anyone, but especially:
- Infants and children
- Pregnant women
- Older adults
- People with certain medical conditions
- Farmworkers and other adults who work outside for a long time
- People with limited access to air-conditioned spaces and safe outdoor environments
Young children are at more risk of heat illnesses and emergencies because they have a harder time regulating their body temperature. They can't get rid of body heat by sweating as much as adults do. For pregnant women, heat exposure increases the risk of problems during labor and delivery and can lead to dehydration and kidney failure.
Tips and Strategies for Extreme Heat
- Set up policies and practices that protect children from overexposure to heat, including:
- Have adequate shade outdoors.
- Keep infants younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight.
- Have proper clothing for the weather, like hats and sunglasses for all children.
- Have enough clean drinking water.
- Give younger infants another bottle of breast milk or formula instead of water.
- Substitute indoor play for outdoor play as needed.
- Make sure staff know how to identify signs of heat-related illnesses and emergencies and how to address them.
- Find ways to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion for staff and families, including:
- Water and other non-sugary drinks
- Shade
- Air conditioning
- Cooling breaks
- Cooling centers
Learn More
- Child Care Weather Watch
- Summer Safety Tips
- About Heat Exposure and Reproductive Health
- Heat Safety Tips and Resources
