Although the winter season brings cozy blanket-filled nights with cups of hot chocolate, it can also bring a new set of hazards dangerous to your children. From frozen walkways to fire danger to the cold and flu, there are plenty of safety risks that could affect your children.
In order to keep them safe and sound, here are the top five cold-weather safety tips for kids:
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Home Security
When daylight savings time happens, the mornings and evenings are trickier for kids, especially if they walk to and from school every day. Not only does the early onset darkness pose a threat to abductions and hit-and-run accidents, but it can also change the safety of your home.
If your children are home alone until you and your spouse are off of work, they can feel slightly unsettled being home alone when it’s dark outside. Adding in a home security system can alleviate both your children’s and your own concerns over their safety. Check out About Protect America Security and companies of the like to find which system will be best for you and your kids.
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Health
One of the most dangerous aspects of cold weather is the onset of cold and flu season. The drastic change in weather always seems to plague children’s immune systems. In order to avoid the sickly germs, be smart about your winter clothing choices. Think in terms of both wind and waterproof layers in order to provide them the maximum protection from the cold.
Additionally, keep your children as hydrated as possible during the winter months. Even though it isn’t hot, kids need to be just as hydrated in the winter as they do in the summer. Keep drinks high in vitamin C on hand, since they lessen the severity of winter colds, and warm drinks such as cider, tea, or cocoa as they offer a great source of immune-building antioxidants.
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Outdoor Safety
The snow can be one of the most anticipated play seasons of the year. From snow forts to snowball fights to sledding, the snow offers a wide variety of entertaining winter games. However, snow can pose many dangerous risks from ice to icicles, etc. For walkways and stairs, sprinkle a deicing product in order to keep the slippery ice at a minimum. For outdoor snow activities, if possible, have parental supervision at all times.
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Home Heat
One of the biggest fire hazards during the winter is a broken or faulty heater or chimney. Before the temperatures fall below freezing, make sure you inspect (or have someone inspect) your home heating system.
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Travel Safety
Since the snow can wreak havoc on the roadways, make sure your car is prepared with the essentials in case the worst should happen a first-aid kit, blankets, shovel, water, rock salt, ice scraper, and nonperishable snacks. Should anything happen, you and your kids will be well prepared until help can safely rescue you.
These few safety basics can help alleviate any concerns over your children’s safety in the cold weather months.
Image Source: www.wilderness.org