Before you know it, we’ll all be surrounded in a winter wonderland. No one can say for sure what kind of weather this season will bring, but we can count on a few more sneezes, sniffles, and chilly days before the holidays. As it gets colder outside and the season’s bout of cold and flu bugs make their rounds, we thought we’d share a couple of reminders on ways to keep your children safe and healthy all winter long.
Rules for Playing Outside in Winter
Set Time Limits
Playing outside after a fresh snowfall is something every kid looks forward to. Between making snow angels and tackling a favorite sledding hill, kids can lose track of time, even ignoring their bodies signs that they’re getting cold. Whenever your kids are heading outside to play, take note of when they went out. Every so often, bring them back in to check for wet clothes or exposed skin to avoid any threat of hypothermia and frostbite.
Keep Kids Dry
Wet or damp clothes is not what’s going to make a child sick, but it could lower their body temperature significantly, leading to hypothermia. If you find your child is shivering, acting lethargic, or begins slurring their words, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests calling 911 at once.
Buddy System
Although your child will stay close by when they play outside, it’s still important to never let them play outside alone. Establishing a buddy system between siblings or neighborhood pals ensures that everyone is safe and accounted for. Children under age eight should always be supervised by an adult.
Rules for Indoors in Winter
Wash Hands and Use Tissues
The real cause of colds and flu during the wintertime has to do with kids spending more time indoors alongside classmates. Now’s a good time to remind children to wash their hands frequently, especially before eating. Revisiting with your child the “sneeze-into-your-elbow” rule and the need to use tissues instead of shirt sleeves for a runny nose is another good way to keep germs at bay.
Use Humidifier
The cold weather can make kids’ skin and noses dry and uncomfortable. By placing a humidifier in your child’s room, you can help keep their skin more moisturized and make breathing in the night a little easier. If you child is prone to nosebleeds during the winter, a humidifier is a great solution to keep them from developing any more severe issues.
Playing it Safe
Wear a Helmet
Fun activities like snowmobiling, sledding, and ice skating is what makes winter worthwhile. Whatever winter sport your child is looking to do, consider sending them off with a helmet, or maybe even some knee pads. For snowmobiling, a helmet is an obvious (and required) riding need. But some are surprised when we’ve suggested it for ice skating. Let’s face it—not all of our kids are Michelle Kwan, magically taking to the ice with natural grace and ease. They will slip. They will fall. And it will hurt. A helmet and some knee pads are just a way to ensure no trips to the ER.
Beware Thin Ice
We cannot stress this one enough. Never, ever let your child play on the ice that has not been checked by an adult or your local recreation and police department(s). Ice can be a tricky thing to call just by glancing at it. Remind kids to stay away from the ice, especially as we experience sporadic freezes and thaws heading into the heart of winter.
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
Whatever your child plans to do this winter, encourage them to always be aware of their surroundings, paying attention to vehicles like snowplows, snowmobiles, and people operating snowblowers. If your kids are inclined to play near large mounds of snow in your driveway or parking lot, this is of particular importance. Help them develop a familiarity with roads, driveways, and paths so that they can know where to be especially attentive.
We know winter is a fun time for families, and we hope that some of these reminders will be a way for you to keep your family safe during the holiday season until spring comes back around. But just in case your child decides to lick a cold, metal surface after watching The Christmas Story, it might not be a bad idea to check out your family’s current insurance policy. We can help you determine what your policy can cover for you, and may be able to find a way to make this season even more merry and bright. Give Doyle & Ogden a call to take a look at your coverage plan. We’re here to help you find a policy that offers you better coverage at the best price. Call us at 616-949-9000 or request a quote online today!
