The groundhog saw his shadow and said we are in store for 6 more weeks of winter!
Here are some winter safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
What to Wear
- The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
- Always remember warm boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
- If a blanket must be used to keep a sleeping infant warm, it should be thin and tucked under the crib mattress, reaching only as far as the baby’s chest, so the infant’s face is less likely to become covered by bedding materials.
Hypothermia
- Hypothermia develops when a child’s temperature falls below normal due to exposure to colder temperatures. It often happens when a child is playing outdoors in extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing or when clothes get wet.
- As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy. Speech may become slurred and body temperature will decline in more severe cases.
- If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 at once. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him/her in blankets or warm clothes.
Frostbite
- Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen. Frostbite tends to happen on extremities like fingers, toes, ears and nose. The child may complain that his/her skin burns or has become numb.
- If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts of the body in warm (NOT HOT) water. 104 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended.
- Warm washcloths may be applied to the nose, ears and lips.
- Do not rub the frozen areas.
- After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing and blankets. Give him/her something warm to drink.
- If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.
This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.