Answer:
As temperatures drop in the northern provinces, staying adequately warm is crucial for health. However, sleeping with a heating pad carries significant risks, including undetected fires and explosions, which pose serious dangers to children and other family members.
Plug-in heating devices can short-circuit, causing fires that spread to nearby items. Fires or explosions in enclosed spaces risk asphyxiation, smoke inhalation, and severe burns. Prolonged use at high temperatures can lead to the bag exploding or catching fire. Products lacking clear origin or labels are particularly susceptible to malfunction.
Even unplugged, some heat-retaining pads can cause burns or have hidden leaks, which children might not notice.
For safety, choose heating pads from reputable sources. When charging, keep the pad away from people, avoid sitting on it, and do not hug it for extended periods. Never use the pad while it is plugged in.
If the pad appears swollen, immediately disconnect it from power. Regularly inspect the pad for torn edges or water leaks before plugging it in.
Beyond heating pads, exercise caution with other heaters, which also pose burn and explosion risks. Additionally, avoiding constant indoor confinement for children in cold weather is important; excessive indoor time can lead to vitamin D deficiency, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Children should drink sufficient water and consume soft, easily digestible, warm, and nutritious foods to boost immunity. Good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, helps prevent digestive illnesses.
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illustration photo: lifelongindiaonline.
Doctor Nguyen Thai Ngoc Minh
Emergency and Resuscitation Department, Le Huu Trac National Institute of Burns (Hanoi)
