TRAVERSE CITY - The frigid temperatures bring on more risks for children out in the cold, and it’s important to have them layer up. Because kids are smaller, they lose body heat quicker, and it’s important to know how to prevent any harm.
“I think the important thing is just plan ahead. I mean, give the low temperatures that they’re due respect because hypothermia is absolutely a medical emergency. Frostbite is a medical emergency and can result in significant damage or loss of fingers and toes,” says Dr. Bill Rawlin of Munson Medical Center.
Dr. Rawlin emphasizes that the old saying of dress in layers is exactly what you need to do to prevent an emergency, but he also has suggestions to prevent illness.
“If I have a bit of a of a of a respiratory illness or a cold that I don’t think is going to be dangerous to anybody else, I’ll mask while I see patients,” he said. “... Handwashing is very significant in terms of preventing that spread of illness.”
Symptoms of hypothermia include drowsiness, disorientation and slurred speech. Symptoms of frost bite include numbness, discoloration in fingers-toes or your nose.
Rawlin has some suggestions on what to do if this happens.
“I think you should go to the ER if your child comes in and they have some fingers that are a little bit uncomfortable, you can start by trying to warm the individual up or trying to warm the body. Part of what you do is use kind of room temperature, you know, comfortably warm water to touch. So slowly warm up the body, the part, the individual,” he said.
And if your child doesn’t have clothes to layer up, Traverse City Area Public Schools have a Student Support Network where they can receive a donation of winter clothes to stay warm.
“We all know what it feels like to be outside and have cold feet or your fingers get cold and kids come in from recess and all they can focus on is being cold and not learning. So if they have the proper gear to go outside, they can get their exercise in and be joyful and have fun on the playground and then come in and be ready for learning because their bodies are warm and dry,” says Katie Kubesh, Student Support Network coordinator.
If you are looking to donate or need donations you can contact TCAPS or go their administration building at the old Glenn Loomis Elementary School.