Bundle up! We’re expecting cold temperatures

 Whether it is two inches or two feet, families should be ready for snow, ice, slush and cold temperatures. In the coming days, we are expecting below zero temperatures. Weather may cause some buses to run behind schedule, but students should arrive at their bus stop on time. Students should dress in appropriate winter attire for travel to and from school or recess outside.

 

There are various ways you can stay informed about school closures or delays. Visit the MPS website, watch local news stations and follow MPS on social media. New this year, you can receive important text messages from MPS, including inclement weather alerts and safety notifications. Please text YES to 68453 from your cell phone.

Whether winter brings severe storms, light dustings, or just cold temperatures, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and warm:

What to Wear:

• The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.

Hypothermia:

• Hypothermia develops when a child's temperature falls below normal due to exposure to cold. It often happens when a youngster is playing outdoors in extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing.
• As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy. The child's speech may become slurred and their body temperature will decline.
• If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap the child in blankets and/or warm clothes.

Frostbite:

• Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen. Extremities like the fingers, toes, ears, and nose are at greater risk because they are more susceptible to heat loss. Symptoms of frostbite include skin that is pale, gray, and blistered. At the same time, the child may complain that their skin burns or has become numb.
• If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts of their body in warm (not hot) water. 104 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears, and lips. Do not rub the frozen areas.
• After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing and/or blankets. Give them something warm to drink.
• If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your Health Care Provider.

Winter Health:

• If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the child's room at night. Saline nose drops may help keep tissues moist.
• Cold weather does not cause colds or flu. However, the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter, when children are in school and are in closer contact with each other. Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and the flu.
• Children between the ages of six months to 18 years are recommended to get the influenza vaccine to reduce their risk of catching the flu.

For more tips, please visit HealthyChildren.org Winter Safety Tips website.