Keeping Children Safe in the Cold Winter Months

Primary care physician and parenting expert Dr. Alanna Levine stopped by to give us a few tips on how to keep children safe during cold winter months.

1. CLOTHING
- Dress children warmly for outdoor fun: many thin layers will keep them dry and warm
- Rule of thumb for babies and young children: dress them in one more layer than an adult would comfortably wear

2. SET LIMITS ON TIME OUTSIDE
- Hypothermia occurs when a child's temperature falls too low. It's usually caused from being outside in improper clothing or in wet clothing.
- Symptoms begin with shivering and progress to lethargy, clumsiness and slurred speech. If this occurs remove wet clothing, wrap in warm blankets, and call 911.
- Frostbite occurs when skin gets frozen-usually on fingers, toes, ears, and nose.
- Symptoms include numbness, grey discoloration, and even blisters. If this occurs, place warm washcloths on the area. Do NOT rub. If persists, seek medical attention.

3. NOSEBLEEDS
- Nosebleeds typically occur in the winter months when the air is dry from heat.
During a nose bleed, apply continuous pressure to the nose for a few minutes. To prevent them, use a cool mist humidifier in the child's room at night; saline nose drops for moisture, and vaseline-type lubricant to inside of nose

4. SLEDDING
- Feet first or sitting up prevents head injuries.
- Wear a helmet
- Use steerable sleds, not snow disks or inner tubes
- Slopes should be free of obstructions( trees, rocks, fences, cars); be less than 30 degrees, and have a flat runoff

5. OUTDOOR SPORT SAFETY
- SKIING: wear a helmet, have bindings adjusted annually
- SNOWBOARDING: The AAP recommends that children under age 7 not snowboard
- SNOWMOBILING: The AAP recommends that children under 6 not ride on snowmobiles and children under 16 not operate them
- ICE SKATING: should only be on approved surfaces

6. SUNBURN
- The sun's rays can still cause sunburn in the winter--> cover all exposed areas with sunscreen

Dr. Levine is a designated spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is a member of the National Association of Medical Communicators, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Communications and Media.

Dr. Levine joined Orangetown Pediatric Associates in 2002. She also works as an attending pediatrician at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center where she attends high risk deliveries and cares for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She maintains her emergency resuscitation skills while serving as a pediatric consult to the Emergency Department at Englewood Hospital. She is also involved in teaching the pediatric residents from Mount Sinai Hospital.

For more on Dr. Levine, visit www.alannalevinemd.com.