After having seen what the effects of cold may be on the health of children we take another step in our Special Winter with the tips to prevent the adverse effects of cold on health.
When it is extremely cold, it is best to remain safe, but also at home you have to follow certain recommendations, especially with young children and the elderly, who are at the highest risk.
The problem is more complicated than putting on a good coat. There are many risks not only in the street, but also within our homes. We will see some tips to protect children from cold from cold in both contexts.
The cold away from home
We should limit outdoor activities as much as possible, especially if they pose a risk (road, outdoor sports ...). If the temperature drops a lot and especially if there is a lot of wind, it is better to stay indoors.
As far as possible, we will avoid overcrowded closed sites and, as always, those contaminated by smoke.
If it is necessary to move, better to use public transport than the car itself.
If we use our car, we must check it, the children have to go in the appropriate retention system (as always), and we must be provided with chains, full tank, warm clothes and blankets ... You also have to check before the state of the roads.
Nor should the child be exposed to sudden changes in temperature because it affects the upper respiratory tract.
We have to use windproof outerwear and humidity preferably. Although it is not comfortable, you have to wear several layers of clothing, light and warm, better than a single garment of a single thicker fabric.
If we go out with a baby in a stroller, it is convenient to use a winter bag, put on the hood and cover it with a protective plastic.
We must avoid tight clothes: if the air circulates between the skin and the clothes, it acts as an insulator.
Most of the body's heat is lost by head, hands and feet, so we have to pay special attention to these parts. The head must be protected with a wool hat (especially if it is a baby and has no hair), balaclava or hat. For the neck a scarf can be worn and on the feet wear waterproof footwear, cotton and wool socks. Finally you have to cover your hands with gloves or mittens.
The face must also be protected, using cream that moisturizes and acts as an insulator, a thick cream. Avoid entering cold air in the lungs, for children better to breathe through the nose and protect with a nose and mouth scarf.
Obviously, you should try to stay dry, stay dry, because wet clothing cools the body quickly.
Too let's avoid walking on ice. A high percentage of cold-related injuries has to do with falls on steps and frozen roads.
If we see that the child sweats, we will have to remove some layer of clothing, since excessive sweating increases heat loss.
If the child shivers continuously we will have to take refuge because he runs the risk of hypothermia. The pale or very red color of the body (or some part of the body) indicates that there is a risk of freezing.
Protect yourself from the cold at home
As we have said, staying at home is a good idea when it is extremely cold. But remember that It is at home where more child accidents occur, so we must take into account these tips especially in winter.
Keep children away from fireplaces, stoves and braziers, and any source of heat, which can be dangerous.
Care must also be taken with gas and wood stoves to avoid the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure that they work well before starting them, with special care the first time we do it in the cold season, and that the air vents are not obstructed.
The overload in the network of electric stoves is also dangerous, so the state of the electrical installation and the appropriate points to connect them in the homes must be previously checked.
Seeking a good thermal insulation of the house avoiding drafts and heat losses through doors and windows will protect the family from the cold more efficiently and economically.
If we close the rooms that are not used, we optimize the heating system.
The ideal temperature for a house is 21º C. Higher temperatures do not bring more benefits and produce excessive energy consumption, while below 19º C it would be too cold.
We may have certain customs at bedtime, but in winter it is advisable to keep the windows and blinds of the bedrooms closed at night.
It's very important monitor the temperature in rooms with babies, which lose heat faster than adults.
In cases of emergency, we can protect the baby by giving our body heat, but if we have to sleep, we must be careful not to suffocate the child.
Better that young children do not sleep with electric blankets or hot water bags (or both together, as there is a risk of electrocution) since they cannot control or warn if the temperature is not adequate ... Yes electric blankets designed just for heating would be suitable the bed before going into bed, which should not be used for sleeping.
Use warm bedding, blankets and light comforter that warm but do not weigh heavily.
Definitely, you have to be prevented and protect yourself from the cold to avoid adverse health effects, especially in the case of babies and young children, who are the most vulnerable. Soon we will return with more data and advice on the cold in our Winter Special.
