Heat Wave 2025: 8 Ways to Keep Kids (and Parents!) Safe During Montreal’s Hottest Days🌞🔥

Environment By Lilo
Heat wave

Montreal has recently faced several scorching heat waves—reminders that climate change is making extreme summer temperatures more frequent. 

Heat waves make kids, especially those under 4, uniquely vulnerable to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or even heat stroke (Ville de Montréal, n.d.; Health Canada, 2024). But with smart planning, you can help your little ones stay cool, hydrated, and happy—even on the hottest days.

💧 1. Hydration Is Your Best Defense

Children don’t always feel thirsty quickly, but dehydration can escalate fast:

  • Offer water often, not just when they ask.
  • Add water-rich foods like watermelon or cucumbers.
  • Avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks—they can dehydrate (Ville de Montréal, n.d.).

🍓 Tip: Let your child decorate their water bottle and create a “sip chart” for the day.

❄️ 2. Choose Cool Spots, Indoors & Out

When the heat is on, seek air-conditioned or shaded spaces:

  • Public cooling centres: libraries, splash pads, pools (Ville de Montréal, n.d.).
  • Keep your home cool: close curtains, use fans, or place frozen bottles in front of them (INSPQ, 2023).
  • Play in shaded areas or visit indoor play spaces.

🗺️ Ville de Montréal – Heat Wave Info

⏰ 3. Smart Outdoor Scheduling

The sun is strongest between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Montreal Children’s Hospital, n.d.):

  • Go out early or late in the day.
  • Reschedule mid-day playdates or camps.
  • Encourage calm indoor activities during peak hours.

👕 4. Dress Light and Right

  • Choose light-coloured, breathable fabrics.
  • Use wide-brimmed hats or vented caps.
  • Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours (Montreal Children’s Hospital, n.d.).

🧢 Sunglasses with UV protection are great too.

🩺 5. Watch for Warning Signs

Signs of overheating include:

  • Rapid breathing, flushed cheeks, dry mouth
  • Headache, crankiness, lethargy
  • Fewer wet diapers or dark urine

Move to a cooler place, offer fluids, and cool the child’s skin with a damp cloth. Call 911 for confusion, high body temperature, or fainting (Health Canada, 2024).

🧬 6. Know Who’s Most at Risk

Extra caution is needed for:

  • Children under 4
  • Kids with asthma, diabetes, or other health conditions
  • Children with special needs (INSPQ, 2023)

These kids can overheat more quickly, so regular check-ins are essential.

🚗 7. Never Leave Kids in a Car

Even on cooler days, parked cars heat up dangerously fast. Never leave a child inside—even with windows open (Montreal Children’s Hospital, n.d.).

🏡 8. Cool Down at Home

After playing, help kids recover:

  • Cool bath or sponge-down
  • No-cook snacks like yogurt, smoothies, or fruit
  • Quiet time with books or music
  • Use fans or cool cloths on the neck and wrists

💬 Stay Connected

Montreal offers a citywide alert system during heat waves. Subscribe to receive tips and location info for cooling centres.

📲 Sign up for “Conseils Climat”

✅ Quick Heat wave Checklist

Task

Action
Hydration Frequent water, juicy fruits
Cooling Fans, splash pads, shaded parks
Timing Play outdoors early or late
Clothes Light, hats, sunscreen
Watch Know heat illness signs
Safety

Never leave kids in cars

💙 Final Thoughts

Heat waves don’t have to disrupt summer fun. With hydration, shade, cool spaces, and mindful rhythms, you can keep your kids safe and supported. It’s not about perfection—it’s about presence, routine, and loving protection in hot weather.

🧠 References

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