Baby, It’s COLD Outside!

The National Weather Service was right. An arctic blast made its way to the Dallas-Fort Worth area after sunset Tuesday.

People will see temperatures from 7 degrees to 17 degrees, with wind chills as low as minus 10 degrees. Families need to take precautions.

Babies less than a year old should not sleep in a cold room because they lose body heat more easily than adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet, it is important to keep infants warm safely.

• Do not have any pillows or other soft bedding in the crib or bassinet.
• For sleep, dress babies in footed pajamas, one-piece wearable blankets, or sleep sacks.
• Make sure newborns are dressed appropriately. Dress them in layers and cover their heads, hand,s and feet.
• For the most warmth, dress your little ones in wool instead of cotton.
• Essential winter items include hats and gloves, as well as sweatshirts or T-shirts that can be layered under overcoats or jackets.
• It is important to remember to take off winter coats and jackets when the child is in the car seat.

Know the Signs of Hypothermia

According to the CDC, hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, “is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures.” This is a medical emergency, and treatment should be sought immediately.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Blue skin, shivering, and a cool chest and stomach are signs that children may be dangerously cold. If you see these signs, take action immediately to get kids out of the cold. Seek immediate medical attention if you are not able to warm the body.
• Victims of hypothermia can include babies sleeping in cold rooms.

Warning signs for infants include:

• Bright red, cold skin
• Very low energy

Warning signs for adults include:

•  Shivering, exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness

Winter Heating Safety

Keeping warm in frigid temperatures is important, but do so safely. Make sure to have functioning carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms installed in areas that will wake you up. If you are unable to keep safely warm in your own home, check local resources for warming shelter information. Seek medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.

•  Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches.
• Keep heat sources, like space heaters, at least 3 feet away from drapes, furniture, bedding, or other flammable materials. Never cover your space heater.
• Do not leave children unattended near a space heater.
• Make sure that the cord of an electric space heater is not a tripping hazard, but do not run the cord under carpets or rugs.
• Avoid using extension cords to plug in your space heater.
• Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak gas from the flue or exhaust into the indoor air space.
• Do not use anything, such as a barbecue grill or propane tank to heat your home.
• Do not run a vehicle inside of a garage attached to your home.
• Do not heat your home with a gas oven or stovetop.
• Do not burn charcoal inside your home.

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Upset Stomach
• Chest Pain
• Confusion

Car safety in frigid temperatures

Proper car seat use is one of the most critical ways parents can keep their young children safe when driving during inclement weather conditions.

Here are a few safety tips to consider:

• Do not strap your children into their car seats with their heavy coats on. In a crash, padding from a coat or thick layers will flatten out, leaving room under the car seat harness. This increases the risk of a child slipping through the straps and being thrown from the car seat. Instead, dress your child in thin layers. Once buckled up, slip the coat on backward with the sleeves on the child’s arms. This way, the coat acts as a blanket and does not affect the fit of the harness.
• Give yourself extra time to get where you are going. Do not forget to account for traffic.
• Pack an emergency bag for your car. It’s a good idea to have blankets, warm clothing, hats, and gloves available in case you become stuck in winter weather. You will also want to have nonperishable snacks packed away.
• Avoid overpasses if possible. Plan alternate routes to your destination and avoid high-traffic areas when possible.
• Give yourself enough space from the car in front of you to gradually brake. When weather conditions are poor, give yourself double the time it normally takes to come to a complete stop.

This article is shared with permission from the Cook Children’s Checkup Newsroom.