Cold Weather Advice for Parents and Caregivers: Tips to Keep your Children Warm this Winter

Many children enjoy the winter time - the prospect of snow and ice can be very exciting. But very cold weather also can bring some health risks for your child and can increase their risk of injuries. Children have small bodies compared to adults; this means they lose heat more quickly than adults do. Rarely, if your child is exposed to very cold weather they could be at risk of hypothermia or even frostbite which can be life threatening. Here are some things we would like parents and caregivers to be aware of, especially for children under the age of 5.

Staying Safe While Playing Outside

Outdoor play in cold weather, once children don't get too cold, can be a great way for children to get the recommended 60 minutes of exercise they need.

To reduce your child’s risk of becoming too cold:

• Make sure your child is wearing the right type of clothes. Several thin layers of clothing is the best way to keep your child warm and dry. Keep their head, neck and hands covered. Put gloves or mittens and a hat on them. Cover their ears to prevent frostbite. Warm socks and wellies or waterproof boots will keep little toes nice and warm. Hoodies, scarves or hats with strings, or mittens with strings, could get caught around your child’s neck or get caught in play equipment, this could put your child at risk of strangulation or other serious injury. Always choose clothes without strings or cords.
• If you do choose to sledge or slide on the snow, only do so during the daytime. Choose a slope that is not too steep and doesn’t end near a road. Check for obstacles along the slope like trees. Put a helmet on your child and watch them closely. Young children do not know how to stop or control the speed. Never let small children use sledges or toboggans on their own.
• Teach your child never to stand on rivers, canals, lakes, or any other body of water that has iced over. It is not possible to tell how much weight the ice can withstand. Even thick ice can crack and break and this could cause serious injuries and death. If you have a dog, keep them on a lead as if your dog walks on the ice or falls in the water you or your child may be tempted to go after them.
• Keep a close eye on your child while you are outdoors, know when it’s time to come in and warm up. Children who are having fun might not notice the cold. Take breaks from the cold and bring your child indoors to warm up for a bit. If their clothes get wet, change them immediately once you get home. Remove extra layers of clothing once you get home to stop your small child getting too hot.

Staying Safe Indoors

As the evenings get colder and darker it can be more comfortable to snuggle up at home with your child, while keeping your home warm. With fuel prices soaring it can be difficult to keep heat in the home. On the other hand, if your child is under 1, it’s important that their room does not get too hot, as this could put them at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or “cot death”).

• Close your curtains and blinds in the evening and close doors to block out draughts to help keep your home warm.
• Don’t let your child overheat, this increases their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Your child should sleep in a room heated to between 16-20 degrees Celsius. A room thermometer is the best way to check the temperature of the room. Don’t let your baby go to sleep while wearing a hat. Make sure they are not overdressed, a nappy, vest and Babygro are enough. A cotton cellular blanket or sleeveless baby sleeping bag will help them to stay snug. If you are using cellular blankets, you can make your baby warmer by adding one if needed. Keep an eye on how warm your baby is, if they are flushed and sweating and hot to touch they could be at risk of overheating.
• Get your heating system serviced regularly to make sure it meets safety standards and is running efficiently.
• Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working too.
• If you use an open fire, make sure your chimney is cleaned regularly.
• If you have a mantelpiece or fireplace surround, make sure it has been secured and fitted professionally. If this falls on your child, it could cause serious injury.
• Blazing fires and wood burning stoves are very cosy during winter. But fires and stoves are dangerous for small children. Put up a fireguard or protective gate. And always use a sparkguard, as well as a fireguard, on an open fire.

Staying Safe on the Road or in your Car

• As the evenings are getting darker much earlier, it’s important to make sure you and your child are seen when you are out walking or cycling. When the weather is cold, traffic can be heavier than usual as more people take to their cars. If you usually walk your child to school or childcare, make sure your child can be seen by dressing them in bright clothing, and using “hi vis” vests or armbands in the dark. You can get these for free on the Road Safety Authority website here.
• If it’s very icy or there is snow around, don’t travel by foot unless it cannot be avoided.
• If you are travelling by car, always put your child in a properly fitted car seat or booster seat, no matter how short the journey is. This is particularly important when roads are covered with snow or ice, as there is a greater risk of accidents.
• Dress your child in thin snug layers. Thick or bulky snowsuits or winter coats can mean that your child is not securely strapped into their car seat. In a crash, the bulky coat or suit becomes squashed, and the straps become loose.
• Keep antifreeze away from small children at all times.

Keeping your Child Safe During Power Cuts

A power cut can be an adventure for children but can be challenging for the rest of the family, even if it’s just for a few hours. Power cuts can make it more difficult to care for your baby or small child. Most of your home appliances won’t work. It can be difficult to keep stored breastmilk or infant formula safe. And if your mobile phone is not charged you might not be able to communicate with others.

The tips below will help you keep your family safe and warm during power cuts.

Here are a few things to keep in mind during a power cut.

• Babies and small children are curious and may be fascinated by candles and torches. Be sure to keep burning candles, matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children.
• Try and keep your floors free of clutter, as this could be a trip hazard if the room is poorly lit.
• Keep a torch handy for those night feeds and changes, and checking on your baby while they are asleep.
• If you get notice of the power cut, charge up all your devices, and preserve battery life during the power cut.
• If you are using stored breastmilk, this can be kept for 4 hours at temperatures less than 20 degrees Celsius. It is safer to use frozen breastmilk that has just been thawed rather than using breastmilk that has been in a fridge that is not working for more than 4 hours. For more tips about safely storing breastmilk go to the HSE webpage here.
• Keep the door of your fridge closed as much as possible, this will help it stay cool.
• It might be difficult to safely prepare powdered infant formula without access to a kettle and a fridge. Ready to feed infant formula is safest to use, as it does not need to be mixed with water. If it’s unopened it does not need to be in the fridge. Another option, if you have access to a hob that does not require electricity, is to boil 1L of water in a clean pan. Cool it for 30 minutes in the pan. Don’t leave it for longer than 30 minutes. Pour the correct amount of water into a sterilised bottle before adding the exact amount of powdered infant formula. Screw the lid of the bottle on tightly and give it a good shake. Cool the bottle rapidly by holding under running cold tap water. For more details on safely preparing your baby’s bottle visit the HSE webpage.
• Baby equipment like breast pumps, soothers and bottles need to be sterilised before using for your baby. If you use a steam or microwave steriliser normally, these will not work. You will need to boil baby equipment for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you could use sterilising fluid, make sure it is suitable for use with cold water and keep it out of sight and reach of children.
• If you use reusable (“cloth”) nappies, consider switching to disposable nappies during the power cut. This is because washing nappies will be difficult if there is no electricity.

Frostbite and Hypothermia

If you think your child has frostbite, take them indoors to a warm area immediately and call your GP or your Out of Hours GP service for advice. If their symptoms are severe contact your Emergency Department.

Frostbite is damage to skin and tissue caused by exposure to any temperature below minus 0.55 degrees Celsius. It can affect any part of the body but is most likely to affect your child’s hands, feet, ears, nose, and lips. One or more of these areas might look pale, grey, and blistered. Your child might be complaining of pain, numbness, or tingling.

Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in your child’s temperature (usually below 35 degrees Celsius). It is a medical emergency that needs hospital treatment. If you think your child has hypothermia, go to your Emergency Department, or call 999 or 112.

A baby with hypothermia might be cold to touch, their skin may be red. They might seem floppy, or be quieter than usual, sleeping and refusing to feed. Older children may be shivering, have pale, cold and dry skin, their lips may be blue. They may be breathing slowing or seem tired or confused.

While you are waiting for help move your child indoors and remove any wet clothing. Wrap them in a blanket or a dry towel. Give older children a warm drink, and some sugary food like chocolate. Keep them awake, and make sure you stay with them. Offer your baby a breastfeed or a warm formula feed.

Frostbite and Hypothermia

Frostbite and hypothermia are cold-related illness that are both very dangerous medical emergencies and require immediate medical attention. If you think your child might have frostbite or hypothermia, get medical help immediately by calling 999 or 112, or going straight to your local emergency department. Follow the care steps below while you wait for medical help to arrive.

Frostbite

Frostbite is damage to skin and tissue caused by exposure to cold. It is most likely to affect your child’s hands, feet, ears, nose, and lips. One or more of these areas might look pale, grey, and blistered. Your child might be complaining of pain, numbness, or tingling.

If you think your child has frostbite, take them indoors to a warm area immediately and call your GP or your Out of Hours GP service for advice. If their symptoms are severe contact your Emergency Department.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in your child’s temperature. It is a medical emergency that needs hospital treatment. If you think your child has hypothermia, go to your Emergency Department, or call 999 or 112.

A baby with hypothermia might be cold to touch, their skin may be red. They might seem floppy, or be quieter than usual, sleeping and refusing to feed.

Older children may be shivering, have pale, cold and dry skin, their lips may be blue. They may be breathing slowly or seem tired or confused.

While you are waiting for help:

• move your child indoors and remove any wet clothing,
• wrap them in a blanket or a dry towel,
• give older children a warm drink, and some sugary food like chocolate,
• keep them awake, and make sure you stay with them,
• offer your baby a breastfeed or a warm formula feed.

If you are in any doubt, contact your GP or out-of-hours service for advice.

Last Updated: 4 January 2024