Now for those of you who actually experience the winter cold, there are many precautions to take. Now, let me break it down…
Dressing in layers
Multiple thin layers of clothing will keep kids dry and warm, and make sure to incorporate:
Thermal Long Johns
Turtlenecks
1 or 2 Shirts
Pants
Sweater
Coat
Warm Socks
Boots
Gloves or Mittens
a Hat
HYPOTHERMIA
Without the proper clothing for your children, hypothermia can very quickly and easily sneak up. This can also occur if the child gets wet out in the frosty air. Symptoms of hypothermia are mild chills, becoming lethargic, a slur of words, becoming clumsy, and a decline in body temperature. Call 911 at once if you feel your son or daughter has hypothermia because it can be really serious. In the meantime while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, make sure you wrap them in a warm blanket and they are in warm clothes.
FROSTBITE
Warm clothes also can help to greatly prevent frostbite, which happens when your skin and outer tissues literally become frozen. Signs of frostbite usually happen on the fingers, nose, ears, and toes. You may see the pale, gray, blistered, or even if the child is complaining of burning or numbing of the skin. When this happens, bring your kid inside and put into warm water, not hot. 104 degrees, about that of a hot tub, is recommended. For the lips, ears and nose just apply a warm wash cloth. No rubbing the frostbitten areas, and after a few minutes in the warm water, dress warmly and give them something warm to drink. After all of the steps have been taken, if they still are numb after a few minutes, call your doctor.
GENERAL WINTER HEALTH
The cold winter air can cause dryness. If your child gets consistent nosebleeds, using a cold air humidifier in their room at night can help. Saline nose drops can also help, but if it persists contact your pediatrician. It is recommended not to wash your infant for more than 3 or 4 times a week when first born, especially during winter because it can severely dry out their delicate new baby skin. The flu virus is not caused by cold weather, but is just more spreadable because of the closer contact. Just make sure to teach your kids consistent hand washing habits, and to cough into their elbow instead of hands can both help to stop it. Infants and toddlers between the ages of 6 and 18 months are encouraged to get the influenza vaccination to help prevent the flu.
In Conclusion…
I hope these easy winter tips will help you to take proper precautions, nobody likes to see their little kid sick, especially when they are not sure what to do about it. Now you may have learned more to prevent sickness, and if mother nature does force it’s way, you know how to deal with it. Have a safe winter!
References
1. Source
