With global climate watchers reporting Tuesday, July 4, 2023 as the hottest day on record, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is striving for widespread awareness and preparation for more intense temperatures.
This summer, communities across the U.S., and around the world, have faced long stretches of sweltering weather. As climate change drives global temperatures higher, many places, including major U.S. cities, are seeing increasingly frequent and extended heat waves. High temperatures can have serious health impacts, from heat strokes and respiratory problems to power outages that disrupt medical equipment and infrastructure.
Hot weather disproportionately impacts certain vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, people with low economic opportunity, and people with special health care needs. Climate projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) point to a continued rise in extreme heat events, with some parts of the U.S. forecast to experience more than 100 days per year with temperatures over 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Children, especially infants and young children, are more susceptible to high temperatures than adults. How can adults help children stay safe during heat waves?
- Stay alert: Watch for signs of heat-related illnesses, such as headaches, dizziness, clammy skin, or high body temperature.
- Triple-check the car: Never leave kids in parked cars on hot days, for any amount of time, even if the windows are open.
- Make a plan: Prepare for a heat wave in advance by picking a safe place to go if needed, like a library or designated cooling center.
- Hydrate: Encourage children to drink plenty of water and other non-sugary drinks (and eat salty snacks to replace electrolytes lost in sweat).
The resources below offer additional guidance for families, first responders, and medical providers on keeping children safe before, during, and after heat waves.
National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS): Heat.gov
Newly launched federal site with heat-related maps, data tools, and resources for a variety of audiences, including public health officials and health care professionals, on planning and preparing for extreme heat. Heat.gov also offers information on protecting at-risk groups during extreme heat events, including children and emergency responders.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Protecting Children’s Health During and After Extreme Heat
Information for parents and caregivers on how to protect infants and children from extreme heat, and how to recognize and respond to heat stroke and dehydration; also includes heat-wave guidance for pregnant people.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Extreme Heat Resources
Collection of heat-and-health resources, with guidance on protecting children, staying cool if you don’t have air conditioning at home (including how to get help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), and staying safe if you have a chronic medical condition or take care of someone who does. The CDC also offers heat-focused information for health professionals, including the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs) related to heat.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Extreme Temperatures: Disaster Management Resources
Guidance for pediatricians and other health professionals on supporting children and families during extreme heat events.
Healthy Children (AAP’s parenting site): Extreme Heat: Keeping Kids Safe When Temperatures Soar
Tips for families and caregivers on protecting children from high temperatures, heat-related illness symptoms to watch for — and when to call a doctor.
Stay safe!