Winter isn’t always the best time when it comes to your health especially without a proper winter wear. The extremely cold temperatures can be a source of illness. Children are especially vulnerable, because their heat retention capabilities are not really fully developed yet. It’s a good thing that the Academy of Pediatrics has given a few simple tips to keep children warm and safe throughout the winter months.

What the children wear is definitely important. It plays a part in how warm the children will be. If your children like playing outdoors, dress them for the extreme cold. Layering is the technique to keep children warm and dry during those snowy days. The base should be a pair of thermal long johns underneath all of the clothes. A turtleneck is recommended, on top of a shirt. You could double the shirt if it is really cold and your child will need a coat as well. Don’t forget to give your kids the appropriate footwear. They need a thick pair of socks, and water resistant kid’s winter boots to match. Accessories your children might need are mittens and a beanie or winter hat. These are the tools you need to keep your child warm.

Babies and young children specifically need something a little warmer, because they are more vulnerable. They need about twice as much protection from the cold as an adult would. They need extra thick blankets as well and they should be tucked in well to keep the child very warm.

It’s important to know about the different risks your children are in when it’s wintertime. Hypothermia is always an issue as it is very common both in children and adults. Children in particular are at a risk because they like to play outdoors in the snow. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, lethargy and clumsiness. Slurred speech is also a symptom, coupled with a decline in body temperature. It’s best to contact professionals when you suspect that your child has hypothermia, as it can be deadly.

Frostbite can be particularly painful when the body is exposed to extreme temperatures, especially for extended periods of time, it can get frozen. The tissues slowly die, along with the skin. This happens especially on your extremities like the arms, legs, nose, ears, and even lips. If you suspect you’re that your child has frostbite, you should never rub the area. The area should be kept warm under a blanket, and the temperature of the child should be warmer. Start to worry when the area is still numb after a few minutes, because this could mean that the area is completely dead. Call 911 immediately if this happens.

To prevent any of these from happening, it’s best to invest in high quality winter wear for your children. Also, you should never let your children play outdoors in the snow for extended periods of time. While it can be fun for youngsters, they don’t necessarily understand the risk they are putting themselves in. Toddlers and babies should never be taken out in extreme temperatures.