Summer heat, snow or ice: It doesn’t matter the forecast, Cook Children’s Health Care System is ready for its patients and families.

 As severe winter weather blankets North Texas, Cook Children’s employees continue to shine. Their dedication to patient families and one another ensures that every child receives the care they need, regardless of the conditions outside.

 Dozens of staff members have stayed overnight at “Hero Hotel,” designated on-site spaces providing a safe and secure place to sleep. This allows essential personnel to remain available while avoiding travelling on dangerous roads.

 Additionally, Cook Children’s facilities crews have worked tirelessly to clear roads and sidewalks at the Fort Worth and Prosper medical centers. Food services and environmental services teams are working around the clock to ensure staff members have clean linens and warm meals.

 Cook Children’s Urgent Care Centers, Primary Care, Home Health and specialty clinics continue to monitor the weather closely. Click here to view closures and delayed openings at our Cook Children's locations. 

Keeping Warm and Having Fun

“If you are going to be outside, dress appropriately,” said Sharon Evans, injury prevention manager at Cook Children’s Health Care System.

Experts advise caregivers to dress little ones in several thin layers to keep warm and dry. Children are at more risk from the cold because their bodies lose heat more quickly. Insulated boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat are recommended.

Make sure children change out of any wet clothes as soon as they come indoors.

“While playing in the snow or “sledding” be aware of your surroundings, be careful to not run into trees or out into the street and mailboxes can be real dangers,” said Evans.

Know the Signs of Hypothermia 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, "is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures." This is a medical emergency, and treatment should be sought immediately. 

 Symptoms of hypothermia include: 

• Blue skin
• Shivering
• A cool chest and stomach are signs that children may be dangerously cold.
• If you see these symptoms, take action immediately to get kids out of the cold. Seek immediate medical attention if you are not able to warm the body.
• Victims of hypothermia can include babies sleeping in cold rooms. 

 Warning signs for infants include: 

• Bright red, cold skin
• Very low energy 

 Warning signs for adults include: 

• Shivering, exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness 

Coats & Car Seats

While keeping kids warm is a priority during the winter, it should never come at the expense of car seat safety.

“Stay home and inside if possible. If you must be on the roads make sure everyone is buckled up correctly,” said Evans.

Bulky coats, such as puffy jackets, can create extra space between the child and harness straps or seat belt, which can increase the risk of injury in a car crash.  It is recommended to dress in thin layers and use a blanket or put the coat on backwards after the child is buckled in. 

If caregivers decide to start the car to allow it to warm up prior to entering the vehicle, it is important to make sure the car is in a ventilated area, such as an open garage, and that they lock the vehicle when they are not inside.  This will make sure that a child does not enter the vehicle unsupervised and become trapped in the vehicle.

Evans adds families should have snacks, water, and extra blankets in their car in case you get stranded. 

“If you are stranded and waiting for help on the side of the road, please make sure everyone stays buckled up,” said Evans, “often cars may slide/spin near you and hit your car.”

In addition, just as local officials advise people to stay off the roadways, if possible, ice can make dangerous driving conditions for ATV’s, Golf Carts and Go Karts.

 Safe Sleep

With winter weather, keeping infants warm is a priority for caregivers, and it is essential to do so safely.

“Caregivers often use extra blankets and hats for warmth, but these soft items can easily become a suffocation or entanglement hazard,” said Samantha St. John, program coordinator at Cook Children’s Center for Community Health.

A safer alternative is a sleep sack, also called a wearable blanket. A sleep sack provides warmth and comfort without risk because it fits securely around the baby's upper body and is sized so the fabric cannot cover their face, while still allowing plenty of room at the bottom for comfort and movement.

St. John suggests a general rule to follow dress a baby in one more layer of clothing than an adult would find comfortable in the same environment.  In winter months this could mean baby is in a long sleep fleece onesie with a wearable blanket/sleep sack. When dressing baby for bedtime or nap time during the extremely cold temperatures, it may be necessary to add socks, mittens, or hats to baby. Caregivers want to make sure that these items cannot come off during sleep and become a loose item in the crib.  It is also important to make sure baby is not going to overheat.  Signs of overheating can include sweating, a hot chest, or flushed skin.  

 Remember the ABCs of Zzzs:

• Alone: The sleep space should be clear of any soft items, such as blankets, stuffed animals, pillows, and bumper pads, leaving only a mattress with a tight-fitted sheet.
• Back: Babies should always be placed flat on their back for every nap and every night.
• Crib: A crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet is the safest sleep surface. 

Related Stories:

• Arctic Cold Front: Readiness Tips for Parents
• What To Know During The Winter Weather This Week
• Know When to Use Telemedicine, Urgent Care, or the ER for Kids

Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention manager for Cook Children's Health Care System, explains that, while these may seem like gifts without much concern, it is important to understand they are vehicles. She offers families tips on how to help their children safely enjoy e-bikes and e-scooters. 

“Always wear a helmet,” emphasizes Evans.

• Always wear a helmet: Make sure you have the right helmet. For e-bikes/e-scooters that go up to 20 mph, a bike helmet is sufficient, but parents may want to invest in a stronger helmet to better protect their children.
• Perform a safety check before each ride:
  • Check the tires. Ensure they are inflated to the recommended pressure on the sidewall.
  • Check brake levers. Squeeze them while rolling the bike forward and backward to ensure the brakes engage and stop the e-bike/e-scooter.
  • Inspect your e-bike/e-scooter for loose nuts or anything that looks abnormal.
• Follow the rules of the road:
  • Always ride on the right, in the same direction as traffic. Use the bike lane if available.
  • top and look both ways before entering a street or crossing an intersection.
  • Stop at all intersections.
  • Obey all traffic lights and traffic signs.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Do not talk on the phone or text. Do not wear earbuds; you cannot hear what is happening around you.
• Night rides: Make sure you wear bright, reflective clothing. Ensure your e-bike/e-scooter has a light and reflectors.

Related Stories:  

Gifts from the Heart: A Child Life Specialist's Guide to Kid-Approved Homemade Presents 

The Ultimate Holiday Safety Checklist 

Know When to Use Telemedicine, Urgent Care, or the ER for Kids 

 People will see temperatures from 7 degrees to 17 degrees, with wind chills as low as minus 10 degrees. Families need to take precautions. 

Keep Warm 

Babies less than a year old should not sleep in a cold room because they lose body heat more easily than adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet, it is important to keep infants warm safely. 

• Do not have any pillows or other soft bedding in the crib or bassinet.  
• For sleep, dress babies in footed pajamas, one-piece wearable blankets, or sleep sacks. 
• Make sure newborns are dressed appropriately. Dress them in layers and cover their heads, hand,s and feet. 
• For the most warmth, dress your little ones in wool instead of cotton.  
• Essential winter items include hats and gloves, as well as sweatshirts or T-shirts that can be layered under overcoats or jackets. 
• It is important to remember to take off winter coats and jackets when the child is in the car seat.  

Know the Signs of Hypothermia 

 According to the CDC, hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, "is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures." This is a medical emergency, and treatment should be sought immediately. 

 Symptoms of hypothermia include: 

• Blue skin, shivering, and a cool chest and stomach are signs that children may be dangerously cold. If you see these signs, take action immediately to get kids out of the cold. Seek immediate medical attention if you are not able to warm the body. 
• Victims of hypothermia can include babies sleeping in cold rooms. 

 Warning signs for infants include: 

• Bright red, cold skin 
• Very low energy 

 Warning signs for adults include: 

•  Shivering, exhaustion 
• Confusion, fumbling hands 
• Memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness 

Winter Heating Safety  

Keeping warm in frigid temperatures is important, but do so safely. Make sure to have functioning carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms installed in areas that will wake you up. If you are unable to keep safely warm in your own home, check local resources for warming shelter information. Seek medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. 

•  Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches. 
• Keep heat sources, like space heaters, at least 3 feet away from drapes, furniture, bedding, or other flammable materials. Never cover your space heater. 
• Do not leave children unattended near a space heater. 
• Make sure that the cord of an electric space heater is not a tripping hazard, but do not run the cord under carpets or rugs. 
• Avoid using extension cords to plug in your space heater. 
• Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak gas from the flue or exhaust into the indoor air space. 
• Do not use anything, such as a barbecue grill or propane tank to heat your home. 
• Do not run a vehicle inside of a garage attached to your home. 
• Do not heat your home with a gas oven or stovetop. 
• Do not burn charcoal inside your home. 

 Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can include: 

• Headache 
• Nausea 
• Dizziness 
• Vomiting 
• Upset Stomach 
• Chest Pain 
• Confusion 

Car safety in frigid temperatures

Proper car seat use is one of the most critical ways parents can keep their young children safe when driving during inclement weather conditions.  

 Here are a few safety tips to consider: 

• Do not strap your children into their car seats with their heavy coats on. In a crash, padding from a coat or thick layers will flatten out, leaving room under the car seat harness. This increases the risk of a child slipping through the straps and being thrown from the car seat. Instead, dress your child in thin layers. Once buckled up, slip the coat on backward with the sleeves on the child’s arms. This way, the coat acts as a blanket and does not affect the fit of the harness. 
• Give yourself extra time to get where you are going. Do not forget to account for traffic.  
• Pack an emergency bag for your car. It’s a good idea to have blankets, warm clothing, hats, and gloves available in case you become stuck in winter weather. You will also want to have nonperishable snacks packed away. 
• Avoid overpasses if possible. Plan alternate routes to your destination and avoid high-traffic areas when possible. 
• Give yourself enough space from the car in front of you to gradually brake. When weather conditions are poor, give yourself double the time it normally takes to come to a complete stop. 

De acuerdo a NWS se espera entre 3 a 6 pulgadas de nieve al norte de la I-20.

Lo mejor que uno puede hacer es tener un plan para mantener a todos en su familia seguros y calientitos.

Siga estos consejos de MedStar en preparación para el tiempo invernal:

• Asegúrese de tener números de teléfono importantes anotados, incluyendo sus proveedores de atención médica, farmacia y veterinario.
• Asegúrese de tener suficiente medicamento a la mano para varios días.
• Si depende de dispositivos médicos en su hogar, tenga un plan de respaldo en caso de que se quede sin electricidad durante un período prolongado, como un generador o paquete de baterías y el equipo de oxígeno.
• Tenga un plan de comunicación para su familia.
• Sepa cómo obtener información confiable durante la tormenta.
• Reúna suministros por si necesita quedarse en casa por varios días sin electricidad.

Abríguese 

• Asegúrese de que los recién nacidos estén vestidos apropiadamente. Vístalos en capas y cúbrales la cabeza, las manos y los pies.
• Para mantenerlos más calientitos, vista a sus pequeños con lana en lugar de algodón. Los artículos esenciales de invierno incluyen gorros, guantes, sudaderas o camisetas que pueden colocarse debajo de abrigos o chaquetas.
• La piel azul, los escalofríos, el pecho y el estómago frío son señales de que los niños pueden tener un frío peligroso (hipotermia). Si ve estos signos, tome medidas de inmediato para sacar a los niños del frío. Busque atención médica inmediata si no puede calentar el cuerpo. 

Esté atento a los síntomas de hipotermia.

Según los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en íngles), la hipotermia, o temperatura corporal anormalmente baja, "es una condición peligrosa que puede ocurrir cuando una persona se expone a temperaturas extremadamente frías".

Las señales de advertencia para los adultos incluyen:

• Tiritar
• Sentirse agotado o muy cansado
• Confusión
• Torpeza con las manos
• Pérdida de la memoria
• Habla enredada
• Somnolencia

Las señales de advertencia para los bebés incluyen:

• Piel fría y de color rojo brillante
• Muy poca energía

Entre las víctimas de la hipotermia se encuentran los bebés que duermen en habitaciones frías.

Si hay un apagón, tenga mucho cuidado con el monóxido de carbono.

Durante la tormenta invernal de Texas en febrero de 2021, Cook Children's trató a 13 pacientes por intoxicación por monóxido de carbono en una noche.

Consejos para proteger su familia durante este tiempo:

• No utilice una parrilla o un tanque de propano para calentar su casa, ni nada similar.
• No prenda su vehículo dentro de un garaje adjunto a su casa con la puerta cerrada.
• No caliente su casa con un horno o estufa a gas.
• No queme carbón dentro de su casa.
• Busque atención médica si sospecha que ha sufrido una intoxicación por monóxido de carbono.
• Asegúrese de que los detectores de monóxido de carbono de su casa funcionen correctamente y estén instalados en áreas que lo despierten si suena la alarma.
• Busque recursos locales, como refugios para calentarse.

Los signos de intoxicación por monóxido de carbono pueden incluir:

• Dolor de cabeza
• Náuseas
• Mareos
• Vómitos
• Malestar estomacal
• Dolor de pecho
• Confusión
• Síntomas similares a los de la gripe

Los asientos de seguridad en el invierno

El uso adecuado de la silla de seguridad del auto es una de las formas más importantes en que los padres pueden mantener seguros a sus hijos pequeños, especialmente cuando conducen en condiciones climáticas adversas.

• No abroche a sus hijos en la silla de seguridad del coche con su abrigo. En caso de un accidente, el relleno de un abrigo o de capas gruesas se aplanará, dejando espacio debajo del arnés de la silla de seguridad. Esto aumenta el riesgo de que un niño se resbale a través de las correas y salga a través del asiento del coche. En su lugar, vista a su hijo con capas finas. Una vez abrochado el cinturón, deslice el abrigo hacia atrás con las mangas sobre los brazos del niño. De esta manera, el abrigo actúa como una cobija y no afecta el ajuste del arnés.
• Programe tiempo adicional para llegar a su destino. Y no olvide tomar en cuenta el tráfico.
• Prepare una bolsa de emergencia para su auto. Es una buena idea tener cobijas, ropa de invierno, gorros y guantes disponibles en caso de que se quede atrapado. También tenga alimentos no perecederos guardados.
• Evite los puentes elevados, si es posible. Planifique rutas alternativas para llegar a su destino y evite las zonas de mucho tráfico.
• Deje suficiente espacio con el vehículo que va delante para frenar gradualmente. Cuando las condiciones meteorológicas sean adversas, se toma para frenar el doble de tiempo que
• normalmente se necesita para detenerse por completo.

The best thing you can do is to have a plan in place to keep your family safe and warm through this first taste of winter.

Take these tips from MedStar on what a winter weather plan should include:

• Make sure that you have important phone numbers, including your health care providers, pharmacy, and veterinarian.
• Assure you have enough medication for several days on hand.
• If you rely on medical devices in your home, have a backup plan in case you lose power for an extended period of time, such as a backup generator or battery pack and backup oxygen bottles.
• Have a communication plan for your family.
• Know how to get reliable information during the storm.
• Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power.

Dress Warmly

• Make sure newborns are dressed appropriately. Dress them in layers and cover their heads, hands and feet.
• For the most warmth, dress your little ones in wool instead of cotton. Essential winter items include hats and gloves, as well as sweatshirts or T-shirts that can be layered under overcoats or jackets.
• Blue skin, shivering and a cool chest and stomach are signs that children may be dangerously cold. If you see these signs, take action immediately to get kids out of the cold. Seek immediate medical attention if you're not able to warm the body.

Keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, "is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures." 

Warning signs for adults include:

• Shivering, exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, slurred speech drowsiness

Warning signs for infants include:

• Bright red, cold skin
• Very low energy

Victims of hypothermia can include babies sleeping in cold rooms.

If you lose power, be very cautious of carbon monoxide.

During the Texas winter storm in February 2021, Cook Children’s treated 13 patients for carbon monoxide poisoning in one night. 

Here are some tips for keeping your family safe during this time:

• Don’t use anything such as a BBQ grill or propane tank to heat your home.
• Don’t run a vehicle inside of a garage attached to your home.
• Don’t heat your home with a gas oven or stovetop.
• Don’t burn charcoal inside your home.
• Do seek medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do ensure the carbon monoxide detectors in your home are properly functioning and installed in areas that will wake you if it alarms.
• Do check for local resources, such as warming shelters, to keep your family safe.

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Upset Stomach
• Chest Pain
• Confusion
• Flu-like symptoms

If you have to travel, have a plan in place to keep yourself and your child safe.

Proper car seat use is one of the most critical ways parents can keep their young children safe when driving during inclement weather conditions. Here are a few safety tips to consider:

• Don’t strap your children into their car seats with their heavy coats on. In a crash, padding from a coat or thick layers will flatten out, leaving room under the car seat harness. This increases the risk of a child slipping through the straps and being thrown from the car seat. Instead, dress your child in thin layers. Once buckled up, slip the coat on backward with the sleeves on the child’s arms. This way, the coat acts as a blanket and doesn’t affect the fit of the harness.
• Give yourself extra time to get where you are going. And don't forget to account for traffic. 
• Pack an emergency bag for your car. It’s a good idea to have blankets, warm clothing, hats, and gloves available in case you become stuck in winter weather. You’ll also want to have nonperishable snacks packed away.
• Avoid overpasses if possible. Plan alternate routes to your destination and avoid high traffic areas when possible.
• Give yourself enough space from the car in front of you to gradually brake. When weather conditions are poor, give yourself double the time it normally takes to come to a complete stop.

Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4. It only takes a second for a child to slip underwater, and oftentimes, babies and toddlers are unable to pull themselves up.  

It is vitally important to practice water safety not just in pools, oceans, and lakes, but also in the bathtub. Drowning can happen in only an inch or two of water—just enough to cover your child’s nose and mouth. 

Bathtub Safety Tips

Cook Children’s has seen an increase in bathtub drownings in the last few years, and we want to help you keep your little ones safe. We started the Lifeguard Your Child™ Campaign to spread water safety awareness far and wide, and we’ve shared some of our tried and true tips below: 

1. Ensure an adult stays at the side of the tub within reach of the child throughout the entire bath. This is too big of a responsibility for siblings and other children, so don’t ask them to take over for you. 
    
2. Avoid multitasking. Preparing dinner, folding laundry, or any other housekeeping tasks can and must wait until after the bath is over.
    
3. Ignore distractions like the doorbell or cell phones. Stepping or looking away from your child for even a few seconds can put them at risk of drowning.
    
4. Be prepared. Keep a towel and bath supplies close at hand, so you do not need to get up and leave during bath time. 
    
5. Treat every bath as a time to relax and bond with your baby or toddler. Bath toys like foam letters, animals that shoot water, and waterproof books are a great way to make the bathtub more fun and teach your child new things at the same time! 
    
6. Safety proof your home to prevent young children from accessing the bathroom without an adult. The more barriers in place, the safer your child will be.
    
7. If you absolutely have to leave during bath time, swaddle your child in a towel and bring them with you. 
    
8. Remove all toys and drain the tub immediately after each use.

The Importance of Family CPR Lessons

While we wish all cases of childhood drowning could be prevented, sometimes they can’t. And when they can’t, every second matters. If something goes wrong, quick, efficient CPR can be the difference between life and death while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. 

Learning CPR is an important part of any family’s safety plan. We can’t stress enough the importance of being ready to act in critical situations. To sign up for classes, check with your local Red Cross or YMCA. 

Help Us Share the Message 

Now that you know all the ways to protect kids from drowning in the bathtub, help us spread the #LifeguardYourChild message. It takes a village, and together, we can save another child’s life.