Protecting Your Children In The Winter: Top Tips For Parents

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

It’s getting much colder and darker much earlier in the evenings now – winter is definitely on the way. It’s essential to remember precisely how dangerous it can be for your kids at this time of year. Some dangers are obvious, of course – you wouldn’t send your children out in the freezing weather wearing nothing more than a vest, but there are other problems that you might not have even thought about.

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Dehydration

Most parents understand the importance of keeping their kids hydrated in the summer, but forget about it in the winter. The thing is, kids are just as likely to become dehydrated in the colder months as they are in the warmer ones. When it is cold, your body’s response to thirst reduces by almost half – meaning your little one could be dehydrated and not even feel it. Make sure you are keeping them topped up with plenty of fluids throughout the day.

Big coats and car seats

Recent research shows that putting your child in a car seat with a bulky coat or snowsuit on is incredibly dangerous. Studies have shown that the puffiness of the coat can make the straps loosen, meaning they aren’t as safe and as tight to the body as they should be which could prove fatal in a car accident. So, make sure you stock up on some warm blankets to keep in the car for when it’s freezing. Put them in a thin cardi or hoodie, strap them in and tuck a warm blanket around them.

Underdressing

Pretty much every mum out there will ensure their child is wearing a nice, warm coat, but forget about the extremities – hands, feet, and ears. Footmuffs to keep legs and feet warm are an excellent solution for babies that aren’t walking around yet and are in their egg pushchairs with a travel system. Don’t forget that because babies can’t move around a lot, they won’t be able to generate much internal heat. For older children, it’s vital to make sure their toes, ears, and fingers are well covered up. 

Sunburn

Believe it or not, the sun can still be hazardous during winter – especially when it snows. If the sun comes out on a day after a snowfall, it will reflect upward from the ground. Make sure that your kids are wearing sunscreen if they are going outside for any prolonged length of time.

Road safety

When the days begin to draw in, the roads become incredibly hazardous. Add in the dark and gloomy afternoons with icy and slippery streets, and you can see how easy it might be for drivers of cars to make a big mistake. Make sure your kids can be seen. If they have dark coloured coats, get some reflective strips put on them. If your little ones are walking, ensure their shoes or boots have plenty of grip, too – a small slip and tumble onto the road could end with a serious incident.

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