Keeping safe and warm in winter

16th May 2008

With winter fast approaching families will find themselves spending more time indoors. Plunket has some advice for families on how to keep their children safe and warm during the cooler months.

“Keeping babies and young children warm is a priority for families,” says Sue Campbell, Plunket’s National Child Safety Advisor. “There are some simple rules to help ensure the safety and comfort of your children.”

The quality of children’s sleepwear is a concern for many parents, and Sue would like to remind parents to choose their children’s pyjamas carefully.

“‘Low fire danger’ does not mean no fire danger. It is important to buy pyjamas that are close fitting, don’t be tempted to buy a size bigger to last longer” says Sue. “Clothing and nightwear is safer when it is a snug fit, this reduces the risk of billowing fabric catching on the heater or fire.”

Parents also need to be aware of the ‘metre heater’ rule, which is keeping any materials that can burn including bedding, curtains, clothes and furniture at least a metre from all types of heaters, cookers and fires. To keep children and adults safe they must sit a safe distance from the fire or heater – so the heater metre rule applies to them too. It is also vitally important to secure fire or heater guards to a wall so they can’t fall or be pulled down.

Below are some other winter safety tips to help families to stay safe and warm this winter:

- Supervising children and babies at all times when a heater or fire is in use. A fireguard around your fire or heater will help protect them from injury.
- Keeping candles, lighters and matches out of reach at all times.
- When cooking, turn pot handles out of reach.
- Keeping electric jug cords out of reach and away from the edge of the bench.
- A cup of hot water over a baby covers the same are as a bucket of water over an adult, so avoid having hot drinks or soup while holding your baby.
- If you want to warm your child’s bed, use a hot water bottle and remove it before they go to bed.

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About the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society

The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society (Plunket) is New Zealand’s largest provider of services to support the health and development of children under five and is dedicated to working with parents and communities to ensure that New Zealand children get the best start in life. Plunket’s services help families nationwide, through over 550 branches, mobile clinics and a free phone service, PlunketLine – 0800 933 922. For more information go to www.plunket.org.nz

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