Health officials are urging parents to protect children from hypothermia and frostbite as a massive winter storm continues to affect more than 230 million Americans across two-thirds of the United States, with dangerous subzero wind chills and freezing temperatures expected to persist through Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
Children face higher risks than adults during extreme cold because they lose body heat more quickly due to a larger body surface area compared to their weight, according to pediatric experts.
At least two people have already died from hypothermia in Louisiana, and medical facilities across affected states are reporting increased emergency department visits for cold-related injuries, according to ABC News.
Proper Winter Clothing and Safety Precautions
Doctors generally recommend keeping children indoors when temperatures or wind chills fall below negative 15 degrees Fahrenheit, as exposed skin can freeze within minutes at those temperatures.
However, even at freezing temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, taking infants outside without proper protection can be dangerous. Parents should also pay attention to wind chill, which can make 32 degrees feel like 20 degrees and increase exposure risks.
Health experts recommend dressing children in multiple thin layers, with moisture-wicking fabrics closest to the skin and windproof outer layers. Essential gear includes insulated waterproof boots, mittens or gloves, hats that cover ears, and neck warmers or scarves.
As a rule of thumb, children should wear one more layer than an adult would wear in the same conditions, Kids' Health said.
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Parents should watch for hypothermia symptoms including shivering, drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, and fumbling hands. In babies, signs include bright red cold skin and very low energy.
Frostbite symptoms include white or grayish-yellow skin areas, numbness, and skin that feels unusually firm or waxy. The nose, ears, fingers, and toes are most vulnerable to frostbite.
What To Do If Your Child Shows Warning Signs
Children should take frequent breaks indoors to warm up during outdoor play, and parents should immediately check that inner clothing layers remain dry. If hypothermia is suspected, parents should call 911, remove wet clothing, wrap the child in warm blankets, and offer warm drinks.
For frostbite, the affected area should be placed in warm water around 100 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, not hot water, and parents should avoid rubbing the frozen areas.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings across a 2,000-mile stretch from Texas to Maine, with hazardous conditions expected to continue through early next week.
States across the South, Midwest, and Northeast have declared emergencies, and schools in multiple states have closed on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, due to extreme cold and dangerous travel conditions, as per CNN.
