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Frostbite Protection for Children

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Frostbite Protection for Children

 

This advisory was provided by Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Life Safety Education in Maryland.

Exposure to cold without adequate protection can result in frostbite. Parents can protect their children by following these precautions:

  • Dress children warmly. Several thin layers will help keep children dry as well as warm. Clothing should consist of thermal long johns, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
  • Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. Call children in periodically to warm up with drinks such as hot chocolate.
  • When possible, avoid taking infants outdoors when it is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Infants lose body heat quickly.

If a child complains of numbness or pain in the fingers, toes, nose, cheeks or ears while playing in the snow, or if his skin is blistered, hard to the touch or glossy, be alerted to the possibility of frostbite and take the following steps:

  • Take the child indoors.
  • Call a doctor.
  • Tell the child to wiggle the affected body part(s) to increase blood supply to that area.
  • Warm the frozen part(s) against the body. Hold fingers to the chest, for example.
  • Immerse frozen part(s) in warm, not hot, water. Frozen tissue is fragile and can be damaged easily. Avoid warming with high heat from radiators, fireplaces or stoves, and avoid rubbing or breaking blisters.

 

Dahlias, Kentlands, Gaithersburg, MD IMG 0547
Photograph by Roy Kelley 
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

'Dahlias, Kentlands, Gaithersburg, MD IMG 0547
Photograph by Roy Kelley 
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs'
Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Comments (19)

Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

These are excellent tips for children experiencing frost bite symptoms.  Parents should be acreful about getting their little ones out to play in extreme temps.

Feb 21, 2015 02:17 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Even some of the senior citizens I know could use this advice, Roy!

Feb 21, 2015 05:06 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Roy, Thanks for publishing these helpful tipe regarding frost bite with children Actually many of those tips pertain to adults. I have been told to stick hands and feet into warm water and not to rub back in my days of living up north or these days know as the frozen tundra!

Feb 21, 2015 06:37 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

So much of the country has been experiencing sub-zero temperatures.  That prime condition for children and adults to become frostbitten, if they aren't protected.

Feb 21, 2015 09:43 AM
Bette Gottwald
UNITED REAL ESTATE | Central PA - Mechanicsburg, PA
"Bet"on Central PA Real Estate!

This is a great reminder Roy Kelley.  Children don't seem to notice the cold like adults do.  

Feb 21, 2015 09:53 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Frostbite is much like a burn. Blisters, skin damage, risk of infection and possible need for surgery.

Feb 21, 2015 10:05 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Good things to know during these cold winter months Roy Kelley 

Feb 21, 2015 01:58 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Important info Roy - you can never be too careful with the kids!

Feb 22, 2015 12:02 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

This is so important....it has been so cold here lately that I worry about my grandbabies.

Feb 22, 2015 12:12 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Roy Kelley

Always important to take care of and look out for kids. Frostbite can really happen fast

Feb 22, 2015 07:30 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Sometimes kids just do not realize they need to come in when they are having fun. 

Feb 22, 2015 09:36 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Roy Kelley thanks for sharing precaution tips. Now, this can happen to adults, too....

Feb 22, 2015 02:09 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Thanks for sharing these helpful tips on how to protect children from frostbite. This is a very good read! 

Feb 24, 2015 03:47 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

These are excellent tips and especially important with very young children.  

I remember when my older son was a tween and he started going out in 25 degree temperatures with a thin sweatshirt.  He simply would NOT put on his coat.  I had well-meaning parents asking me if my sons needed coats.  That was frustrating!

Feb 24, 2015 08:10 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for your feedback. It is always good to hear from you.

Feb 24, 2015 09:56 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

An important warning Roy thanks for sharing this important message

Feb 27, 2015 03:24 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is sometimes a good practice to revisit old blogs and reblogs. We might even find some good ideas for current posts.sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Feb 02, 2019 12:52 PM