Optimal low-cost cooling strategies for infant strollers during hot weather

Abstract

The current study aimed to identity the optimal low-cost stroller cooling strategies for use in hot and moderately humid summer weather. A commercially available stroller was instrumented to assess the key parameters of the thermal environment. The cooling efficacy of eight different stroller configurations was examined in a counterbalanced order across 16 hot summer days (air temperature (T_a) = 33.3 ± 4.1 °C; relative humidity = 36.7 ± 15%; black globe temperature = 43.9 ± 4.6 °C). Compared with a standard-practice stroller configuration, combining a moist muslin draping with a battery-operated clip-on fan provided optimal in-stroller cooling, reducing the end-trial air temperature by 4.7 °C and the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) by 1.4 °C. In contrast, in-stroller temperatures were substantially increased by draping a dry muslin (T_a = +2.6 °C; WBGT = +0.9 °C) or flannelette (T_a = +3.7 °C; WBGT = +1.4 °C) cloth over the stroller carriage. These findings provide empirical evidence which may inform guidance aimed at protecting infants during hot weather.

Practitioner summary: This study examined the efficacy of traditional and novel stroller cooling strategies for use in hot and moderately humid weather. Covering the carriage with a dry muslin cloth substantially increased stroller temperatures and should be avoided. Evaporative cooling methods reduced in-stroller temperatures. A moist muslin cloth draping combined with a fan provided optimal stroller cooling.

Keywords:

• Heat stress
• stroller
• pushchair
• infant
• temperature
• cooling
• heat
• baby

Acknowledgements

We thank Associate Professor Leigh Wilson for initial insightful conversations regarding parental behaviour and the potential challenges infants face because of different pram coverings.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.