As the cold weather hits, we are all excited to enjoy some winter-time fun. But winter weather can also bring some dangers to children. In 2021, there were an estimated 110,900 winter activity-related injuries treated in emergency rooms nationwide according to CPSC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). But when the frost bites, you can bite back with these tips.
- If you’re using hoodies or coats for young children, remove the drawstrings as they can pose a strangulation hazard around the neck or an entrapment hazard if those in the waist get caught on something – such as a closing bus door.
- Buckle children into their car seat without their winter coats. While they may look snug, thick and puffy coats will compress on impact, leaving a dangerous gap which the baby can slip through in a crash.
- Don’t over wrap infants at night. Overheating has been linked to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and babies are comfortable at the same temperature you would be. Blankets should not be in the crib. Use wearable blankets, sometime called sleep sacks, instead.
- During these darker months, dress children in reflective jackets or apply reflective tape to their clothing to make them visible to motorists.
- Wear the right helmet for the activity and make sure it fits properly to reduce the risk of a head injury. Check out CPSC’s Which Helmet for Which Activity page for more information.
- Stay up to date on recalls from the CPSC including outdoor toys, clothing, and other items.
Have a fun and safe winter season this new year and check out the CPSC page on Winter Safety for more information.
