{"id":5170,"date":"2018-12-24T08:50:47","date_gmt":"2018-12-24T14:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=5170"},"modified":"2020-05-19T13:31:10","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T18:31:10","slug":"proper-safety-key-to-enjoying-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/proper-safety-key-to-enjoying-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Proper safety is key to enjoying winter with your children"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winter means a break from bee stings, mosquito bites, pollen and poison ivy. But extreme cold comes with its own set of dangers.<\/p>\n

To help parents steer their children safely through the winter, Asma Khan<\/a>, DO, a pediatrician at OSF HealthCare Medical Group \u2013 Parkview<\/a> in Rockford, has some helpful advice.<\/p>\n

Dressing for winter? It\u2019s all about the layers.<\/h2>\n

\u201cA lot of people want to do just one big jacket and call it a day,\u201d Dr. Khan said. \u201cIt\u2019s just easier, and it seems like a big jacket would do the job best, right? But there are a couple reasons why using layers is best.\u201d<\/p>\n

For one, there is car seat safety. A bulky coat can prevent you from getting the safety straps fastened as securely as they should be.<\/p>\n

You can avoid this problem by putting the coat on backwards over the straps. A blanket would work, too, she said.<\/p>\n

Another benefit of layers? If one layer gets wet, the extra protection beneath helps prevent your child from getting too cold.<\/p>\n

Of course, hats and gloves or mittens are essential. Children lose a lot of their heat through their head.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t forget the sunscreen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still important,\u201d Dr. Khan said. \u201cThe sun\u2019s still out there, it\u2019s just deceiving because it\u2019s not warm out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keeping your baby warm<\/h2>\n

\u201cFor babies, sometimes we overdo it,\u201d Dr. Khan said. \u201cIt can be tricky because babies can\u2019t tell us if they\u2019re too hot or too cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

To help with this issue, Dr. Khan suggests following this general rule of thumb: Whatever is comfortable for an adult (especially at home) \u2013 a baby should wear one more layer.<\/p>\n

For the crib, blankets are a no-no, because a loose blanket is a danger for suffocation. Try using a fleece zip-up or footed pajamas to keep your baby warm, or use a swaddle blanket.<\/p>\n

Be on the lookout<\/h2>\n

\"youngCold weather brings the danger of hypothermia<\/a> and frostbite.<\/p>\n

Hypothermia occurs when a person\u2019s body temperature sits below 95 degrees Fahrenheit for too long. It can happen if you\u2019re outside too long or your clothes are wet, and children, who are smaller than adults and have less body fat, are at a higher risk.<\/p>\n

If your child is shivering, looks sleepy or confused, their coordination is off or they have slurred or stuttering speech, get them evaluated right away. Call 9-1-1 if the symptoms progress, then remove their clothes and cover them with warm blankets, Dr. Khan said.<\/p>\n

More common than hypothermia is frostbite<\/a>, when thin layers of outer tissue freeze. It often occurs on the fingers, toes, ears and the tip of the nose.<\/p>\n

Numbness, burning or looking really pale are all symptoms of frostbite, which can lead to blistering in the most severe cases. If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, bring them inside, remove their wet clothes and wrap them in blankets.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t rub frostbitten areas, Dr. Khan said, because that just causes pain. Frostbite should resolve on its own, but if symptoms continue or worsen after a few minutes, seek medical treatment. The most severe cases can require amputation, so don\u2019t ignore it.<\/p>\n

Indoor safety<\/h2>\n

The cold winter months tend to drive us to spend more time indoors, in closer proximity to people, which makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to make the rounds. That\u2019s why good hand-washing hygiene<\/a> is important in the winter, according to Dr. Khan. Try to keep children from putting other children\u2019s toys in their mouth. Clean toys well and often. Wash your own hands after cleaning up your child\u2019s face, and keep sick children away from others as much as possible.<\/p>\n

Other indoor winter safety tips:<\/h3>\n