Building snowmen, sledding, and playing outside at their child care center are a few open-air activities many kids enjoy during the winter. However, due to their small size and low body-fat ratio, youngsters are at high risk of developing hypothermia in cold weather unless protected properly. To ensure your kids remain safe, here are a few tips to follow.

How to Protect Your Children in Cold Weather

1. Layer Up

Hypothermia has three stages. When the core body temperature is 90 to 95 degrees, the body starts to shiver. At 82 to 90 degrees, consciousness starts to decrease. Then, when the core body temperature is under 82 degrees, a person can become unconscious. 

As children don't have a lot of fat to keep their bodies insulated, they should wear several layers of clothing to stay warm. When you get your kids dressed for school or their child care center, have them wear one more layer of clothing than you would wear in cold weather.

2. Minimize Time Outside

When the temperature is between 13 and 31 degrees, your children can play outside but should come inside out of the cold every 20 to 30 minutes. If the temperature is 13 degrees or lower, it's best to keep your children indoors completely. A Rising Star strives to keep children healthy and safe while balancing their need for fresh air in various weather conditions.

3. Don't Forget About Accessories

Parts of the body that aren't covered by clothing are at higher risk of developing frostbite. The skin injury causes a prickly sensation in the affected area, followed by numbness and inflammation. Continued exposure can cause frostbite. To prevent these concerns, have your children wear warm jackets, snow pants, hats, earmuffs, scarves, boots, and warm, water-proof mittens that are clipped to their coats, too.

If you are looking for a reputable child care center for your children, contact the professionals at A Rising Star Children's Center in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. For over 15 years, the learning center has been providing before- and after-school programs focused on theme-based curriculum for children in the Westchester County area. Learn more about the child care services online, and call (914) 862-4283 to discuss enrollment with a representative.