The first blasts of winter air already have come blowing across the
Midwest and nothing sounds better than staying inside, cuddling up next
to the fireplace. But you have to venture out some time -- to the
grocery store, the drug store, the gas station.
And when there’s snow on the ground, it’s practically impossible to
keep the kids inside.
But severe cold can be dangerous. If the temperature has plunged to
minus 20 degrees F, it’s simply too cold for children to go outside.
But if it’s warmer than that, a well-bundled child is a safe child.
"We tend to forget that children get cold more easily than adults,"
said Dr. Laura Fitzmaurice, pediatric emergency medicine specialist at
Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. "Put in the same situation as
adults, children will lose more heat, mostly through their skin, than
adults."
Keep the following tips in mind to keep your children safe and warm
this coming winter:
Make sure your children have plenty to eat and drink before heading
outside. This keeps blood circulating and ensures that the children
have enough energy to produce body heat.
If it is sunny outside, be sure to apply sunscreen to exposed
areas. Don’t forget sneaky places where snow might reflect sunlight,
like under the chin.
If it is especially windy outside, apply petroleum jelly to your
children’s exposed skin to protect against chapping.
Dress your children in layers. (See accompanying story.)
Bundle up your children right before going outside. If they stand
around indoors while dressed for outside, they will begin to sweat,
which will make them even colder once they get outside.
Once outside, the children need to keep moving. Activity keeps
blood circulating and keeps you warm. If children want to come in from
the cold, let them. Even if it took 30 minutes to dress them and they
stayed outside only five, trust their comfort level.
Watch for signs of frostbite, like whitish or grayish skin,
especially on the feet and hands. If you suspect your children have
frostbite, get them inside and call the pediatrician immediately.
Watch for signs of hypothermia, such as drowsiness, confusion, skin
that is cold to the touch and lethargic behavior. If you suspect your
children have hypothermia, take them inside and call the pediatrician
immediately.
By taking some preventive measures, your children can stay safe and
comfortable during winter weather, and you don’t have to spend three
months in front of the fireplace.
