Cold Weather Safety for Kids

Even if you hate cold weather and snow now, there is a good chance that you felt a little differently as a child. You probably built snowmen, went ice-skating, and sledded down the same hill over-and-over again for hours, and don’t remember ever feeling cold. This is likely how your kids feel, too. They want to embrace this fun season, but accidents can occur easily due to ice, snow, and cold weather, so use these tips to keep everyone safe.

 

Winter Hazards

 

Cold weather brings along viruses and respiratory ailments. Houses with wood-burning fireplaces often have children who experience asthma attacks, too. Electric fireplaces are great alternatives to dangerous wood ones, and they won’t aggravate allergies or asthma. Pro Home Stores has electric fireplaces in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

 Head, abdominal, and neck injuries are often concerns, too, due to cold weather activities, such as skiing, ice-skating, snowboarding, and sledding.

 

Staying Healthy

 

• Your body burns more calories trying to stay warm, so make sure kids have at least a healthy snack before going out to play.

• Snow can reflect as much as 85 percent of the sun’s dangerous UV rays, so their face should be protected with sunscreen.

• Avoid cotton clothing because it holds moisture and can make them colder. Synthetic fabrics for layering are ideal.

• Waterproof jackets, pants, and boots are essential for playing in the snow.

• Rotate hats and mittens when they come in to get warmed up so the wet ones can dry.

• Make sure everyone washes their hands, especially after coughing, blowing their nose, and sharing toys.

• Check on them often and know when they need to come in and thaw out. Young children have a hard time recognizing when they need to get warm.

• Have a first aid kit packed in the car, and make sure it contains blankets, extra gloves, high protein snacks, and water.

• Be familiar with the symptoms of frostbite.

 

Avoiding Injuries

 

• Consider having younger kids wear a helmet while sledding, especially on a busy hill or one with a lot of trees.

• Rinks are safer for skating than ponds. If they must skate on a rink check the thickness of the ice yourself.

• Safety bindings on skis should be checked and safety goggles worn.

• Snowboarders should wear a pair of quality gloves with wrist guards built right in.

• Helmets and goggles must be worn while snowmobiling.

• Avoid snowmobiling on frozen bodies of water, if possible.