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Children's winter health

Did you know that children are more vulnerable to the cold?


Children's bodies are smaller and they lose heat quicker than adults so here are some top tips to keep children warm and safe in the cold weather.

Be prepared

Ensure you are aware of the procedures that your child's nursery or school has in place in case of bad weather.

Get winter tyres fitted to your car and keep items such as jump leads, warm clothing and a blanket in the car in case of break-downs.

Flu vaccination

Most children are eligible for an annual flu vaccine which is often given by a nasal spray.

Outside safety

Keep an eye on children playing outside in the cold weather - if they are not moving around much or start to shiver, bring them inside to warm up.

Ice can be a big risk to children. Be aware of any ponds, rivers or lakes that may have frozen over and never attempt to go near or walk on them. It is important to teach children the dangers of frozen water.

Watch out for symptoms of hypothermia such as shivering, lips going blue, slurred speech and unusual clumsiness.

Clothing

Dress children in layers ⁠- a few light layers will keep them warmer than one heavy layer.

Start with a vest and then a t-shirt and another layer on top. These can be taken off throughout the day.

Dress babies and young children in one more layer than an adult would wear.

Keep their head, neck and hands covered ⁠- put gloves or mittens and a hat on them.

It's also important that they do not wear any clothing that might get caught on branches or play equipment, such as scarves or clothes with drawstrings.

Stay safe and well

Remind children to wash their hands regularly to reduce the spread of bugs like norovirus and COVID-19.

In drier winter air children lose more water through their breath. So keep them hydrated and offer plenty of water - try giving them warm drinks and soup for extra appeal.

Remove outside clothes when indoors, even when babies are asleep. Pull back carrycot hoods and remove rain covers when inside.

In the car make sure babies and toddlers are not wearing thick coats or snowsuits. Too many layers or thick coats are dangerous because it can leave their car seat harness too loose to be effective in a crash. You can find lots more advice and information about child safety seats.