How to Keep Kids Healthy in Winter

Kids and wintertime go together like peanut butter and jelly. Most kids can't wait for the first snow to build a snow fort or sled down the neighbor's hill. But for parents, wintertime can bring on an extra helping of worry. Here are some tips to help keep kids healthy and safe in the winter.

Instructions

Ward Off Illness

• 1

  Have your child immunized each fall with the current influenza vaccine.

• 2

  Make sure your child washes his hands frequently to avoid getting sick. He should wash up before eating and after using the restroom, sharing toys, coughing and blowing his nose.

• 3

  Ensure your child gets enough sleep to help his body fight off infection.

• 4

  Serve your child nutritious foods to boost his immune system.

• 5

  Use a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom if he has a cold or tends to get nosebleeds.

Keep Children Safe Outdoors

• 6

  Give your child a snack before heading outside. The calorie boost will help give his body energy in the cold weather.

• 7

  Pay attention to the temperature and wind chill. Keep your child inside if the temperature is less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

• 8

  Dress your child in layers, with one more layer than you would wear yourself. Start with long underwear, a turtleneck or shirt and a gaiter, a sweater and then a coat. A waterproof top layer is best.

• 9

  Don't forget a hat that covers your child's ears, but do forget about a scarf, which can be a strangulation hazard. A neck gaiter is better.

• 10

  Keep an extra dry pair of gloves on hand so your child can trade in his wet ones and stay outside a little longer.

• 11

  Check on your children regularly when they are outside. Better yet, play outside with them. You'll have firsthand knowledge of the weather conditions and share in the fun.

Keep Kids Safe at the Holidays

• 12

  Place unbreakable items on the lower branches of Christmas trees.

• 13

  Keep lights and candles out of a child's reach.

• 14

  Be extra careful with space heaters. Follow directions for use exactly, and do not allow your child to touch it or be left alone with it.

• 15

  Pay attention to holiday treats that may be a choking hazard for young children, such as nuts, hard candy, grapes, popcorn, apples or raw carrots.

• 16

  Recognize potential hazards at homes you may visit with your child. Your best friend may not know to cover up her electrical outlets or block off a dangerous stairway. It's up to you to protect your child, so you may need to bring along some safety items like a baby gate just in case.