Freezing
Freezing (or hypothermia) is a very serious condition that occurs when the body temperature drops below 35 °C. The most common causes that can lead to hypothermia are: sweating in cold weather, weather conditions with low temperatures, humidity and wind, drowning in water (especially if the water temperature is below 10 °C), dehydration, etc.
Body
How to prevent freezing?
The child should not be exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as a snowstorm, etc., and if you happen to be outdoors when the weather conditions start to worsen, bring him/her inside immediately!
Follow these recommendations:
- Hats and cold weather clothes should be made of tightly woven fiber (e.g. wool) because it provides insulation and allows the transfer of moisture from the skin to the outside environment. Avoid cotton clothes because they absorb water and stay wet.
- Protect sensitive parts of the body (face, hands, feet) from the cold.
- Clothes should be in layers, so that garments can be added or removed in accordance with the weather conditions and the child's physical activity.
- If the clothes get wet, change into dry ones as soon as possible.
- Give your child lots of hot, high-calorie drinks (like hot chocolate, etc.). If such drinks are not available, give him/her water to prevent dehydration.
- The child should take more frequent breaks from staying in the cold to keep the body warm.
- If the child starts to shiver, increase the level of activity, warm up the child additionally, add a heat source, or remove the child from the cold.
Be careful near cold waters (rivers, lakes, sea) and always provide the child with an adequate life vest.
