Winter Warmers

Are you gearing up for a snowy, chilly festive season? This Aussie is certainly going to be rugging* up (a high of 40 degrees would be an extremely cold and unusual winter’s day in Sydney, Australia).
So, here are some winter warmers (with thanks to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC) to keep you all safe and toasty for the big chill ahead.

Dress for success
It is advisable to dress your ankle biter* in one more layer of clothing than you would wear in the same conditions. (Think- flannie*, jumper*, trackie daks*) As for outerwear, the school heads to the playground as long as it is not below 15 degrees outside (gross motor activity must continue, thank you brave teachers!).
Therefore, sending your child to school with appropriate clothing is essential-
 Waterproof snow pants/bib
 Waterproof, non-slip snow boots WITH SOCKS
 Waterproof snow jacket
 Hat (with ear coverage)
 Neck gaiter (optional)  Balaclava (optional)
 Mittens/gloves (need to put on without assistance. Jacket fasteners are helpful too)
(Note- scarves are not safe, think strangulation and falls)
The order here is important from a practical perspective (it can be hard to reach your boots with a bulky jacket on!).
Practice this dressing sequence at home until your ankle-biter becomes proficient, the teachers will thank you for it! And make sure to LABEL EVERYTHING with a marker so items don’t go missing (or get placed on another child).

Have Skin Sense
Consider putting these 3 things on your winter radar-  Skin dries out in winter and dry skin can be itchy, or even become sore and crack. So avoid very hot baths/showers and apply body moisturizer liberally and regularly. Plus, consider a barrier cream (e.g. petrolatum) for delicate exposed areas such as cheeks/lips.
 Even though it is cold, sunburn can still occur, particularly with light reflection off the snow. Use sunscreen on exposed skin if you plan on being outside for a while.
 Take care of that delicate skin inside the nose, especially for little ones who nose pick or tend to suffer from winter nosebleeds. Saline nose drops, petrolatum barrier cream applied inside the nose and nighttime bedroom humidifiers can all help.

Stay Safe In The Car
- When riding in the car, children should wear thin snug layers rather than bulky snow gear. This allows the harness to stay tight and keep them safe in the event of an accident.
- Keep a flashlight, snacks and warm blankets in your trunk in case you get stranded and help is a while away.

In The Home
- Have a safe alternate heating source (and fuel), non-perishable food, bottled water and a flashlight in case of power outages.
- Keep all space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that could burn, and turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check them regularly to ensure functionality.

Outdoors
- Ankle-biters should wear helmets for ice-skating, sledding and skiing
- Set reasonable limits on outdoor play and beware of hypothermia and frostbite. Come inside periodically to warm up, and watch for wet clothing.

*Australianisms
Ankle biter- young child
Flannie- flannel shirt, popular amongst Australian farmers/country folk
Jumper- sweater/pullover/jersey
Rugging up- putting extra layers of clothing on to stay warm
Trakie daks- fleece