As temperature falls and it’s time to break out the mittens and coats, you can't take safety for granted.  Fireplaces, space heaters, freezing temperatures may pose a hazard to your child if you are not careful.

Most of these injuries a re preventable, and with common sense as your guide you can keep your child out of harm's way. Safe Kids Mid-South, headquartered at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, offers the following suggestions to keep your child safe during the winter months:

Cold Weather Safety  

• Don’t overdress your child for the low temperatures outside, as he'll probably take off most of what you put on. To protect from frostbite, your child should wear several layers of loose-fitting clothes, waterproof mittens, a hat and boots.
• Signs of frostbite: A stinging sensation of loss of feeling in the affected area. If symptoms appear, take your child to a warm place, remove wet clothes and keep him warm.
• Signs of hypothermia (low temperature): If your child is lethargic or difficult to arouse after exposure to cold, wrap in a blanket. If his temperature (by rectal thermometer) is bellow 95, get him to the hospital immediately.

Drowning Hazards

• Swimming pool risks are just as great for young children in colder months as in summer months. In fact, additional danger is present because the risks are not on parent's minds as much.
• If a child falls into a pool, cold temperatures and bulky clothing make swimming harder.
• Untreated water may have algae growth that could make it hard to get your child out of the water if he fell in and make it difficult for rescuers to get to him.
• A stopped-up pool with a little rainwater on the bottom is also dangerous. It only takes an inch of water for a child to drown.

For more information, please call Safe Kids Mid-South, headquartered at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, at (901) 287-6730.