With the snowy streets and recent record-breaking low temperatures, it’s tempting to curl up inside and wait out the next few months. We here at KID encourage you to cuddle up with your kids, but while you and your family get cozy, consider these winter season safety tips to keep your children protected from both the bitter cold and hidden hazards of children’s products. 
- Don’t forget to check the CPSC.gov website for product recalls. If you aren’t able to regularly check the site, simply sign up for recall alerts or KID’s monthly email alert which will be delivered right to your inbox.
- Look out for drawstrings, which can be found in winter coats, jackets, and sweatshirts. These can catch on other items and pose a strangulation hazard for children.
- Don’t overwrap a baby or use thick blankets- use wearable blankets instead! Babies are sensitive to overheating, and warm room temperatures and heavy layers have been linked to SIDS. Blankets and other soft bedding in the crib can also pose a suffocation risk. Make sure to follow other safe sleep practices and keep an eye on infants in case they begin sweating or feel hot to the touch.
- For kids and babies, clothing such as heavy coats, thick sweaters, and snow suits create too much space between their body and the car seat harness. The harness should be as close to a child’s body as possible. A good idea is to walk to the car with coats on, warm the car up, and remove coats and then buckle up!
Keep these safety tips in mind as you and your family prepare for the extreme winter days. We here at KID hope you have many fun and safe winter adventures. For more safety information, visit KidsInDanger.org
