Dress properly for safe, fun winter
Posted 1/29/03

It was 20 degrees below zero last Thursday and I was angry.

I wasnít angry at the temperature, I was angry at the parents who allowed their two children to go to school without hats and gloves on and jackets wide open.

Normally, this time of year I would write a regular story on preparing for the cold weather and dressing right, but I was so upset at what I saw, I felt I had to put it in my column in hopes it would get some more attention.

I talked to the two young boys and made them promise me they would wear their hats and gloves and zip up their jackets before heading out for the bus. I hope they listened and I hope they tell their parents.

Weíve all heard it before, but I think itís worth repeating.

One third to one half of our body heat is lost through the head. So covering your ears isnít enough - especially when the wind-chill is at minus 30 degrees.

Remember to dress in layers in the winter. Kids going in and out of school, playing in gym and other activities tend to work up a sweat more than adults do during the day. So, itís important to dress kids in layers allowing them to peel off a shirt when they get warm.

Snow pants should be worn outside winter boots, rather than tucked in. This prevents the cold, white stuff from entering the boots.

Lose the gloves and give them mittens. Mittens allow fingers to touch each other and retain more heat. Waterproof ones are even better!

Socks made from synthetics or synthetic/wool blends wick moisture away from the skin, so feet donít get damp.

And though we donít have the snow to romp in yet and the cold temperatures have kept kids indoors lately, they want to get out and play!

So when they do, remember to dress them appropriately and have them drink plenty of fluids. The air we breathe in the winter is drier and itís easy to perspire inside warm clothes - losing fluids.

So give them water or hot chocolate to drink before and after they play outside.

Signs of frostnip include pale, mottled skin and a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands, nose, ears, feet or cheeks. If you or your child experience this - get inside and warm up!

Signs of frostbite include a tiny white dot on the nose or on the tips of fingers, skin discoloration, numbness and sometimes itching, burning or a sharp, aching pain.

Make sure clothes arenít wet and immerse the body part(s) in warm (not hot) water or use a warm compress.

Hypothermia is more extreme and signs include things like confusion, memory loss, lethargy, slurred speech, and excessive shivering.

If this is the case, get the child inside and call 911. Make sure the child has warm, dry clothes on, cover the child with blankets, and give them warm liquids until help arrives.

Winter can be a blast, especially once the snow arrives. But if you or your child end up with frostbite, it wonít be much fun at all.

I know teachers are constantly reminding kids to make sure they have the appropriate winter gear and sometimes itís difficult to get the kids to put the stuff on, but keep reminding them.

And have a safe and fun winter!