Talking About Kids tips for January 29th's program, Winter Safety

Outdoor Winter Sports: General Tips

Helmets are essential. For skiing, buy a ski helmet to withstand multiple hits.

Your child should wear goggles/sunglasses with ultraviolet protection, shatter proof, and scratch resistant.

Winter sun requires protection just as does summer sun. With prolonged exposure, your child should wear sunscreen on unprotected areas.

Your child should be protected with 3 layers of clothing to prevent frostbite or hyperthermia. Cover ears, nose, and hands.

Preparing Your Child For the Hospital

Take your child to the nearest pediatric hospital, not general hospital. Pediatric hospitals have more suitable equipment and training for the specific needs of children.

Apply pressure to a bleeding wound. Support injured limbs with board or splinter, pillow or other soft object. Apply ice.

Emotional Needs:
Avoid telling your child "it won't hurt," or, "it will only hurt a little bit." You may lose your child's trust. Acknowledge what will probably hurt in a comforting, understanding way.

Allow your child to express fears without judgment or ridicule, and let your child ask questions. Answer honestly and briefly. Too much information may heighten anxiety.

If a hospital visit is extended, bring school assignments to ease transition back to school.

If preschoolers regress to bedwetting and thumbsucking, do not make an issue of it at this time.

Read stories about hospitals before visit. Encourage role- plays with or without puppets to encourage expression of thoughts and feelings.

Bring your child's favorite toys, books, snacks to the hospital.

If possible, stay with the child overnight, and when you leave, tell him or her when you will be back.

Remain calm. Showing your own anxieties will heighten your child's fears.

Other Winter Safety Issues

If snow is covering your tailpipe, avoid leaving anyone in a running car while you are removing it to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, even though it is outside.

Colds are caused by viruses, not by chills, sudden changes in weather, or getting your feet or hair wet. Frequent hand-washing is good prevention, as is not sharing cups, utensils. Teach your child not to touch anyone with a cold, but especially not to touch his or her eyes or nose after touching someone with a cold.

Shoshana Melman, MD
ChrisCare Center City
231 N. Broad St.
Phila. PA l9l07
E-Mail: melmans@auhs.edu