How can we protect a child from the cold?

If a child is exposed to cold or showing signs of hypothermia, quick and correct action is very important. Here is what you should do:

❗ Emergency Signs – Seek Medical Help Immediately

Call emergency services if the child has:

• Very cold skin, pale or blue lips

• Shivering continuously or suddenly stops shivering

• Confusion, drowsiness, or unusual behavior

• Slow breathing or very weak pulse

• Stiff body, difficulty speaking

✅ How to Help a Child in Cold (First Aid Steps)

1. Move the child to a warm place

• Bring them indoors or to a sheltered area.

• Remove them from cold wind or wet environment quickly.

2. Remove wet clothing

• Wet clothes draw heat away fast.

• Replace them with dry, warm clothes or wrap the child in a blanket.

3. Warm the child gradually

Do NOT use direct heat like hot water, heating pads, or fire.

Use safe warming:

• Wrap in blankets, woolens, shawls, or jackets.

• Use warm towels or warm (not hot) water bottles wrapped in cloth.

• Hold the child close to your body for skin-to-skin warmth if needed (very effective for infants).

4. Offer warm drinks (if child is conscious)

• Warm water, warm milk, soup, etc.

• NO hot drinks.

• NO caffeine or sugary drinks.

5. Cover the head and hands

• A lot of heat is lost through the head, hands, and feet.

6. Keep the child lying down and calm

Physical activity can worsen hypothermia in severe cases.

❗ What NOT to Do

• ❌ Do not use hot water or direct heaters.

• ❌ Do not rub the child’s arms/legs strongly (may harm skin and circulation).

• ❌ Do not give hot baths suddenly.

• ❌ Do not give drinks if the child is unconscious.

🧒 How to Prevent Cold Injuries in Children

• Dress in multiple layers.

• Keep head, ears, hands, and feet covered.

• Avoid wet clothes.

• Keep children indoors in very cold weather.

• Use blankets while sleeping.

Contact us – Dr Alok Agarwal , Mobile : 8938869255