Dr. Frank Vivio from Ingham Regional Medical Center says children just don't have the physical ability to fight off high temperatures as adults do.
He says to avoid the outdoors during extreme heat; go to the beach later in the afternoon or early evening when things have cooled off somewhat.
He also warns against tap water to hydrate infants because they don't process sodium well. Instead, use drinks like Pediolyte.
Dr. Vivio says to watch out for signs of heat exhaustion like heavy sweating. And the more serious heat stroke, which may include disorientation, lack of sweating, not feeding, uncontrollable irritability or nonresponsiveness.
And, never leave a child unattended in a car. Vivio says even with open windows cars can heat to unsafe temperatures in a matter of minutes.
Charlotte Police responded to just that type of call on Thursday. A child was left in a car while the parent was inside a store shopping. The child was ok but an investigation is under way.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 116 children under the age of nine died in heated vehicles between 1998 and 2002.