Finally, winter is here, and with it, the cold and flu season. Although drinking hot chocolate and making snowmen should be the norm throughout the winter, germs, infections, and diseases sometimes take control. For this, we need to explore winter health tips for children.
Record-low temperatures are one example of extreme weather that can endanger children’s lives and impair vital infrastructure for their well-being. Cold weather-related power disruptions can make it extremely harder to remain warm and safe.
You’ll need to take additional precautions to keep your children healthy this winter since youngsters are more vulnerable to disease than adults. Use the ten suggestions to strengthen your kids’ immune systems during winter and make the occasion cheerier!
Given below are 10 Winter Health Tips to Protect Children:
1. Wash your winter clothing frequently.
We rarely wash our sweaters or jerkins since they take so long to dry. We believe that because people perspire less in the cold, clothing does not quickly become filthy. Woollens, however, have the propensity to gather dust, which can cause asthma and dust allergy. Regularly wash your woollens.
2. Be careful when near flames.
Although comfortable, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and outdoor fire pits may be dangerous, especially for young children. Be cautious and, if you can, install safety gates.
Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational if you’re using electric or kerosene heaters as alternative heating sources as winter health tips.
3. Layer your clothes.
If you start to perspire, remove layers as necessary to keep yourself dry. Your body can become chilled by wearing wet clothing, which could result in hypothermia or frostbite therefore this is one of the very important winter health tips.
4. Skin protection is a must as winter health tips.
Avoid exposing your skin to extreme temperatures to prevent frostbite. Take extra care while handling your hands, feet, and tiny body parts like your ears.
5. Take Time to Sleep.
Preventing disease and maintaining good winter health tips depend on getting enough sleep. Everyone is more productive after a restful night’s sleep, which also helps our immune systems stay strong. Children under 10 should sleep for 10 hours per night, while children aged 10 to 17 should sleep for 8.5 to 9.5 hours.
6. Eat Healthfully and Mindfully.
Our immune systems are fueled by healthy food, which is crucial to our long-term health. Encourage your family to consume colourful fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks, ideally 2 fruits and 3 veggies daily as winter health tips.
7. Hand washing.
The majority of winter infections may be prevented (as well as year-round) by this method alone. Any virus can spread when an infected individual cough, sneezes or touches anything, and fluids are left behind. Regularly and correctly washing your hands can significantly cut down on your exposure and maintain good winter health tips.
8. Encourage children to unwind.
Winter is a hectic season with Christmas parties, trips to see friends and family, and gift-buying. While adults can cope with the added stress, children’s immune systems tend to deteriorate in the midst of the chaos.
9. Use caution around fires.
Wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and outdoor fire pits are cosy but can present danger – especially to small children. Use caution and put up protective gates when possible. Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are operational if you’re utilising electric or kerosene heaters or other alternative heating techniques after losing heat or electricity.
10. Watch for danger signs as winter health tips.
Signs of frostbite are pale, grey or blistered skin on the fingers, ears, nose, and toes. Bring your child indoors and soak the afflicted region in warm (not hot) water if you suspect that they have frostbite. Shivering, slurred speech, and unusual clumsiness are all indications of hypothermia. If you think your child has hypothermia, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Conclusion
“Save the Children” is working to assist communities in preventing, preparing for, and recovering from climate-related disasters as severe temperatures leave many vulnerable families in poverty with less food, less access to clean water, reduced earnings, and deteriorating health. So the above-given winter health tips will be very useful not only for kids but for adults too.