Cold Weather Safety

A snowy, frozen winter wonderland brings with it a thousand ideas for fun activities to do outdoors with your family. Unfortunately, the cold weather season also brings new hazards to consider before heading outside. We have put together some helpful tips for keeping your family safe and healthy throughout the winter season.

Hints for the Home

• Make sure your whole family washes their hands- It is even easier to spread viruses during the winter since more time is spent cooped together up inside, so everyone should wash their hands frequently, especially after coughing, blowing noses, and sharing toys.
• Shoveling snow is not an activity for all ages- Often times children want to help out with the task of shoveling snow, but this activity is only appropriate for older, school aged-children. Younger children could strain muscles doing this activity.
• Check children regularly for signs of frostnip and frostbite- Frostnip is a warning sign of oncoming frostbite, and children are at much higher risk than adults. When children play outside in the cold, check frequently for red, numb skin, most commonly on noses, cheeks, ears, fingers and toes. If the child has frostnip and their skin appears red and is tingly or numb, take the child inside, remove all wet clothing, and soak the body part in warm (not hot) water until feeling returns. If the child’s skin appears to have frostbite, meaning the area gets very cold and turns a white or yellowish gray, immediately take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Always keep cold weather emergency supplies in the car- Aside from a regular First-Aid Kit, be sure to keep extra blankets, gloves, and a window scraper in your car during the winter in case of roadside emergency.

What to Wear

• Dress the kids in layers- The best way to keep warm is to dress in layers so that rain or snow soaked clothing can be removed to reveal dry layers that preserve body heat. Waterproof pants and jackets are the best top layer because they don’t allow water to seep into the under-layers. Make sure to layer up their hands and feet as well with extra gloves and multiple socks under boots.
• Avoid cotton clothing- Wool and other fabrics will keep kids much warmer than cotton blends. Try long johns, warm pants (not jeans), a turtleneck, a sweater, and a waterproof coat for the best warmth and protection.
• Apply sunscreen to any uncovered skin- It may seem strange, but snow can actually reflect up to 85% of ultraviolet rays from the sun. A sunburn can happen even in December!
• Give kids a snack before they suit up to go outside- Giving a child something to eat before they go out in the cold will give them extra calories to boost their energy and help keep them warm.

Sports Safety

• Get details on the sledding hill- If your older children are going sledding, ask them to give you info on the area they will be in. Make sure they will not be next to a busy road, on a hill with trees or rocks, or on a slope that is too steep. It is always best to supervise sledding activities, but if you can’t be there then make sure the kids know about their surroundings.
• Wear a helmet on the hill and in the rink- Winter sports like sledding, ice skating, snowboarding, skiing, and ice hockey are full of fun, but are dangerous when a child is not wearing a helmet. It is also important to make sure that helmets and skates fit well and won’t slip around.
• Check winter sports gear regularly and wear at all times- All children need helmets and safety goggles on the slopes. Skiers’ safety bindings should be checked annually and snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards. All equipment should fit snugly.

It is important to stay active and keep the kids moving during the winter months. Cold weather can seem like a pest, but with these tips to keep your family safe and warm there is nothing to stop you from enjoying the winter season outdoors together!

This blog was adapted from information on kidshealth.org