Gwen Rummell Reporting –
Properly dressing infants and young children remains a concern for the colder season.
The ideal temperature for a house and a baby’s room is between 68 and 72 degrees.
Tuscarawas County Health Educator Abbie Shankland says new parents tend to overdress young children during colder months.
“You do want to make sure when you are going outside that you are covering their extremities. So you want to make sure you have a hat on them, some gloves, and definitely some socks as those parts tend to get a bit colder than most.”
Parents should always watch for signs of overheating, including sweating and flushed skin.
Removing a child’s winter coat before putting them into a car seat is also a concern adds Shankland.
“Whenever you are putting a child in the car seat, you’re supposed to tighten and loosen the straps every time you are getting the child in and out of the car seat. If they have a thicker jacket, then it creates some more space so the straps aren’t actually getting tightened up to their body.”
In the event of a car accident, the puffy garment can flatten out and cause the child to be thrown from their seat.
The Health Department offers a variety of informational programs for infants and children on their website, www.tchdnow.org.
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