Top winter tips for children

Top winter tips for children
The winter season is in full swing. There are a lot of people who are out and about braving the elements while there are some getting cozy at home. Whether you love it or hate it, it is important to not let this weather turn into a safety hazard. When the temperature drops, you must know how to safeguard the health and happiness of your children. Make sure that you are still making regular appointments with the doctor. If you don’t want to go out in the cold, you can try consulting with the online child doctor at Rainbow Children’s Hospital.

Here is how you can protect your kids during winter:

Wear sunscreen -
Just because the sun isn’t so bright anymore, doesn’t mean that you should forget about sunscreen. Snow can reflect 75% of the damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun. So, don’t stow the sunscreen away during winter. Make sure that your children use it before going out to play.

Don’t overdo it -
Winter wear should be able to fit your kid properly. However, it shouldn’t be so tight that your child is not able to have proper movement. For example, if your child is wearing boots that are too tight, it will constrict their blood flow making their feet even colder. So, when you are sizing shoes, leave some room for another pair of socks.

Be clever -
When you are sending your kids to school or to the playground, dress them in layers that are water and windproof. If possible, go for wool, instead of cotton. It is a flexible and durable material that acts as an amazing insulator. It will keep your kid warmer and dryer than cotton.

Make sure that your little one is warm with the right head, neck, hands, and face protection. You can try keeping the scarves and gloves inside hats so that your kids never forget them.

Drive safely -
Driving during the winter season can be extremely dangerous. So, it is important that you be prepared for any situation. Put an emergency bag in your car’s trunk that contains a first-aid kit, a shovel, blankets, ice scraper, rock salt, nonperishable snacks, and water.

Practice safety -
Whenever your child is involved in winter activities, make sure that they are under adult supervision at all times. Ice skating should be done only after it has passed proper inspections. Choose sledding paths that aren’t too close to roadways or too crowded. The safest sleds are the ones that allow for steering. You have to avoid disk-shaped sleds or snow tubes. If your children want to try snowboarding or skiing, hire an instructor to give them lessons. While you are on the slopes, make sure that they are always wearing gloves with built-in wrist guards and helmets, and are accompanied by an adult.

Eat right -
With the right nutrition, your children will be able to fight off this flu and cold season. A balanced diet will strengthen their immune system. You can use snack time as an opportunity for sneaking in extra nutrients. Some of the foods that you can try are fresh and dried fruits, whole-wheat crackers with cheese, sliced raw vegetables, and yogurt.

Stay hydrated -
Even though your child is not sweating as much as he/she does during the summer season, they still have to stay hydrated. The best choices for the winters are low sugar juices that are rich in vitamin C. Studies have shown that these can lessen the duration and severity of winter colds. Hot cocoa and decaffeinated tea are also comforting hot drinks that are rich in antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system.

Make your home safe -
You have to stay prepared for unpredictable weather conditions and stock up on essentials like bottled water, extra batteries for flashlights, nonperishable food items, and first aid staples. In extreme conditions, safety kits can protect you and your family.

Prepare your kids -
Always have your kids put extra tissue packs and gloves in their bags and they help prevent the spread of germs. These will come in handy if a glove goes missing.

Heat your home -
Before the temperature falls below freezing, make sure that the heating equipment in your home is right and the smoke detectors are functioning properly. If you have a space heater, ensure that your children are away from it. Discuss the fire safety guidelines with your family.

If your child gets sick or show any symptoms of cold or flu, it is best that you meet with a video consultation doctor in Hyderabad at Rainbow Children’s Hospital.