Parenting in a heatwave: How to keep your kids safe

Yahoo

23-06-2025

Every camp drop-off, Target errand, or walk to the playground feels heavier in this heat. With sweltering temperatures blanketing much of the U.S., parents are making split-second judgment calls all day long. Is it safe to walk? Should we skip swim class? Can my toddler nap in their stroller? Decision fatigue is real.
As of June 23, 2025, tens of millions of people across the eastern U.S.—from Minnesota to Maine and throughout the South—are under heat advisories, with the National Weather Service warning of dangerous, even 'life-threatening' conditions through midweek. Cities like Philadelphia have declared heat emergencies, and forecasts show heat indexes hitting up to 108°F in places like Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Boston.
When you're parenting in a heatwave, nothing feels simple. Here's how to stay one step ahead—and keep you and your little ones cool, hydrated, and safe.
Even on an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can reach 99 degrees in just 10 minutes—and up to 109 degrees within 20, according to the National Weather Service. During a heatwave, that climb happens even faster. And because babies and young children heat up three to five times faster than adults, a quick errand can turn tragic.
From 1998 through 2024, more than 1,000 children in the U.S. have died from heatstroke after being left in vehicles.
As of June 2025, seven more children have already died in hot cars this year, according to KidsAndCars.org—a heartbreaking reminder of how urgent this issue remains.
Most parents believe they could never forget their child in a car. But research shows this assumption can be dangerous.
David Diamond, Ph.D., a cognitive neuroscientist who has extensively studied these tragedies, emphasizes that these incidents are often rooted in how human memory works—not in a parent's character or intent. His research shows that stress, exhaustion, and changes in routine can interfere with prospective memory, which is responsible for helping us remember to carry out future tasks. When that system breaks down, even attentive, loving parents can lose awareness of a child in the backseat.
When those systems fail, even the most devoted caregivers can mistakenly believe they've already dropped their child off, or forget they're there at all.
Summer, with its shifting routines and extra mental load, creates a perfect storm.
Related: How hot is *too* hot for baby to go outside?
According to data from NoHeatStroke.org:
53% of pediatric hot car deaths involve a caregiver forgetting the child was there.
24% involve children gaining access to an unlocked vehicle and becoming trapped.
Less than 22% involve a child who was knowingly left in the car.
In many of these heartbreaking cases, the child was never supposed to be in the car—or wasn't typically dropped off by that caregiver.
When temperatures climb into the triple digits, keeping kids safe takes more than sunscreen and frozen snacks. From camp drop-offs to last-minute errands, small habits can make a big difference. These heat-related tragedies are preventable—but doing so requires mindful, daily decisions, especially during a week when you're already juggling a million of them.
Scan the backseat before you walk away.This isn't just about checking a box—it's a buffer against decision fatigue. When your brain is full of drop-off logistics, calendar reminders, and mental to-dos, this one 2-second habit can override a moment of forgetfulness.
Place your phone or wallet in the backseat. Yes, even if you're 'just popping in.' If your essentials are with your child, you'll always go back—and that's the point.
Ask your childcare provider to text if your child doesn't arrive. Sometimes the mental script gets disrupted—like when your partner does drop-off instead of you. A simple system with daycare can add a safety net you'll both be grateful for.
Double-check that your car is locked. Many tragedies happen at home, when little ones climb into an unlocked vehicle and become trapped. Take a quick pause to make sure all doors are shut and locked—even if your car is in the driveway.
Store them somewhere high.Small hands are curious, and modern key fobs are easy to press. A key hook, cabinet, or top drawer can help keep your child from starting an adventure that turns dangerous.
Hydrate your kids, not just their water bottles.Don't wait until your child says they're thirsty. Offer water often—especially before heading to splash pads, playgrounds, or sports practice. Kids need more than they think they do.
Touch the equipment first.
Slides, swings, and buckles can burn tender skin in seconds. If it feels hot to your hand, it's too hot for your child. Consider parks with shade or plan visits earlier in the day.
Related: How rising heat is affecting pregnancies—and what you can do to protect yourself and your baby
Don't assume everyone knows the risks. If your child is spending time with grandparents, sitters, or camp staff, be clear about your expectations.
Be direct and kind. Try: 'I know it's hot out this week, so I wanted to review a few things we're doing to keep [child's name] safe.'
Mention car safety specifically. Ask them to always check the backseat and never leave the car unlocked, even at home.
Provide backup water and extra clothes. Let them know it's okay to take breaks, go inside, or skip the playground if it's too hot.
Post or text a cheat sheet with signs of heat exhaustion, emergency contacts, and reminders like 'never leave the car unlocked' and 'offer water every 30 minutes.'
A quick conversation today could prevent tragedy tomorrow. And it shows your caregivers that safety is a shared responsibility—not a solo task moms should carry alone.
Related: 5 safety apps and tools that remind parents there's a baby in the back seat
Even when we're doing our best to keep little ones cool and hydrated, heat-related illness can come on quickly—especially in babies and young children, whose bodies heat up faster and sweat less efficiently than adults', according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Here are some signs to watch for, based on guidance from the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
Flushed cheeks or unusually warm skin
Unusual fatigue or difficulty waking
Irritability or fussiness without a clear reason
Fewer wet diapers than usual or dark yellow urine
Dizziness or confusion in older children
Rapid breathing or heartbeat
Dry mouth or no tears when crying
Vomiting or signs of dehydration
If you notice one or more of these symptoms:
Move your child into a cool, shaded place—ideally indoors with air conditioning, as recommended by the CDC.
Offer water or breast milk/formula if they're alert and able to drink.
Loosen or remove excess clothing and gently sponge their skin with lukewarm water to help bring their body temperature down.
Stay close and monitor your child carefully.
If symptoms don't improve quickly—or if your child becomes confused, sluggish, or stops responding—call your pediatrician or 911. As the AAP emphasizes, heat exhaustion can escalate to heatstroke if untreated, so early action is essential.
You don't need to panic—but you do need to act. Trust your instincts. It's always okay to call your child's doctor for guidance—you know your child best.
You matter, too. If you're sweating through every chore, skipping meals, or feeling completely touched out by noon, that's your body asking for a pause.
Drink the water. Take the break. Lower your standards for a few days. Your kids need you safe and standing—not pushing through heat exhaustion because you felt guilty resting.
No parent wants to imagine the unthinkable. But taking a moment to recognize the risk is one of the most protective things we can do. As Dr. Diamond puts it, 'We have to accept that the human memory is flawed. That includes when loving, attentive parents lose awareness of their children when they are in a car.'Let this heatwave serve as a cue: stop, look, and lock—every single time.
You're not careless. You're carrying a lot. Let this be your reminder to pause, breathe, and double-check—because protection starts with presence.
Sources:
Look before you lock. National Weather Service. Look Before You Lock.
Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. No Heat Stroke. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles.
Pediatric Vehicular HeathStroke Deaths by Numbers. No Heat Stroke. Pediatric Vehicular HeathStroke Deaths by Numbers: 1998 to 2024.
Stop. Look. Lock. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Stop. Look. Lock.
Stop. Look. Lock: 5 tips to save your child from heatstroke. UC Davis Health. Stop. Look. Lock: 5 tips to save your child from heatstroke.
Research Shows That Anyone Could Forget Kids in Hot Cars. Kidsandcars.org. Research Shows That Anyone Could Forget Kids in Hot Cars.
Good Samaritan Laws Regarding Unattended Children in Vehicles Laws. No Heat Stroke. Good Samaritan Laws Regarding Unattended Children in Vehicles Laws.
Anyone Could Forget a Kid in a Hot Car, Research Shows. Consumer Reports. Anyone Could Forget a Kid in a Hot Car, Research Shows.