Colorado winters are unique in that we can experience winter storms and deep freezes, turn around the next day, and have weather that feels more like spring or fall. No matter the conditions, parents should be prepared to face anything this winter. Here are some winter health and safety tips that parents should keep in their back pockets.
Dress your children in layers.
Some of the common health issues kids can experience in the winter are hypothermia and frostbite. Both of these are typically the result of children playing in cold temperatures and snow without the proper clothing. Dress your children in several thin layers to keep them dry and warm during outdoor activity. An easy rule of thumb to remember is to dress them in one more layer than you would dress in those conditions. In addition, be sure that your child wears gloves, scarves, hats, and boots if they are playing in the snow. This will help prevent frostbite.
Prepare for winter sports and activities.
Your kids likely will want to play in the snow and participate in fun winter sports and activities like skiing, ice skating, and sledding. As with any sport, injury can occur, but there are ways to prevent injury. If your children are interested in ice skating, be sure they skate in the same direction as the crowd, avoid darting across the ice, and wear equipment like helmets and knee and elbow pads, especially while they are learning. If your kids want to go sledding, make sure an adult supervises them at all times, they sled feet first and stay away from crowds and vehicles. If your family plans on going skiing or snowboarding this winter, make sure all equipment fits properly and is in good shape. Children should never ski alone and should be supervised by an adult.
Winter car seat safety
Winter can be a tricky time for car seats, and for new parents, some of this might be news. As a rule, bulky clothing, like snowsuits and winter coats, should not be worn under the harness of a car seat. The best thing to do is dress your child in thin layers, strap them into the car seat, and place their coat or blanket over them if you think they won’t be warm enough. Make sure the harness is snugly tightened across your child’s chest. Another way to ensure your child will be warm in the car seat is to bring it inside when it is not in use. That way, you avoid placing them in a cold environment. Also, avoid putting blankets behind them in the car seat. They will add extra padding, leaving space for your child to potentially slide out of the harness in an accident situation.
This winter, we want all families to be safe from illness and injury. These winter health tips are easy to follow and will be beneficial in the end. If your child falls ill or gets injured this winter, bring them to Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado. We are open 365 days a year, and our staff is committed to providing the best care for your child. Contact us today with any of your questions about your child’s health and safety.