The winter season can bring severe storms, extremely cold temperatures or lightening dust. Here are some valuable tips to help keep your child warm.

Winter safety tips

What to wear

• infants and children need to be dressed warmly for outdoor activities.   Several thin layers of clothing   will keep them dry and warm. You also have to remember to give them warm boots, gloves or mitten  and a hat
• According to the American Academy of pediatrics, the rule of thumb for babies and infants is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult will wear in the same conditions
• when riding in a car, babies  and children should wear  thin , snug layers rather than a thick bulky snow suit or bulky coat.
• To prevent SIDS in infants, it is better to use a sleeping cloth like a one piece sleeper or wearable blanket. Blankets , quills, pillows and bumpers should be kept out of the child’s sleeping area  to reduce the risk of suffocation
• if you’re  using a blanket to keep the baby warm, it should be thin. You should also tuck it under the crib  mattress , reaching only as far as the baby’s chest to reduce the risk of the baby covering her face with the blanket

Winter health

• if your child gets nosebleeds during winter, try using a cool air humidifier in her room. Saline drops  or petroleum jelly may help keep nasal tissues moist. Consult your doctor if bleeding is excessive
• children 6 months and older should get the influenza vaccine to reduce their  risk of catching the flu.
• teach your child to wash her hands frequently and cough or sneeze in  the bend of her  elbow. This is reduce the risk of spreading the cold and flu virus
• many pediatrician believe that bathing an infant 2 or 3 times a week during the first year of life is enough. More frequent baths may dry out the baby’s skin especially during the winter season

NOTE

• limit outdoor activities during the cold season to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.  Let the child come in periodically to warm up
• the sun’s ray can still cause sunburns during winter especially if they reflect off the snow. Make sure you use sunscreen on your child’s exposed skin and consider using sunglasses