Winter weather brings severe storms, cold weather and light dustings. The following tips can help keep your child safe.
WHAT TO WEAR WHEN IT’S COLD
- Infants and children should dress warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers should keep them dry and warm. You should always remember warm boots, gloves or mittens and a hat.
- As a rule of thumb, older babies and young kids are to dress in one more layer of clothing than an adult will wear in the same condition.
- Babies should wear thin, snug layers rather than thick, bulky coats or snowsuits.
- Blankets, quilts, pillows, bumpers, sheepskins and other loose bedding should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment. They increase the risk of suffocation deaths. It is better to use sleeping clothing like one-piece sleepers and wearable blankets.
watch out for the following
- Hypothermia results when a child’s temperature falls below normal due to exposure to colder temperatures. It usually occurs when the child plays outdoors without wearing proper clothing or when the clothes get wet. It usually occurs more quickly in children than adults.
- The child may shiver, become lethargic and clumsy when hypothermia sets in. Speech may become slurred and body temperature will decline in more severe cases.
- If you suspect that your child has hypothermia, call 911 immediately. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing and wrap him in a blanket or warm clothes.
- Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen. This condition usually affects the extremities like fingers, toes, ears and nose. They may become pale, gray or blistered. The child may also complain of skin burns and numbness.
- If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten areas in a warm NOT HOT water. 104° Fahrenheit (about the temperature of most hot tubs) is recommended. Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears and lips.
- Do not rub frozen areas.
- After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing or blankets. Give the child something warm to drink.
- If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call the doctor.