Winter can be a wonderful time for play. Participating in winter sports will help keep the whole family healthy, but injuries can spoil the fun. Here's how to keep kids safe during winter play.
Clothing for outdoor play:
All winter activities require warm, dry clothing. To prevent frostbite, children should be dressed in warm clothes, including:
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a hat (warm, close-fitting, and covering ear lobes; not a 'fashion' hat or baseball cap),
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mittens (gloves do not keep hands warm as effectively as mittens),
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loose layers (an absorbent synthetic fabric next to skin, a warmer middle layer, and a water resistant/repellent outer layer),
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socks. A single pair of socks, either wool or a wool blend (with silk or polypropylene) is better than cotton which offers no insulation when wet. Avoid extra thick socks as they can cause cold feet by restricting blood flow and air circulation around the toes.
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boots. Be sure boots are dry and not too tight.
Children should get out of wet clothes and shoes as quickly as possible as they are the biggest factors in frostbite.
Jackets should be zipped up. To avoid strangulation during play, use tube-shaped neck warmers instead of scarves. If scarves must be used, tuck them into jackets. Remove drawstrings on hoods and jackets because they are also a safety hazard; better yet, buy clothes without drawstrings.
Safe weather for outdoor play:
Children should play indoors if the temperature falls below -25C (-13F), regardless of the wind chill factor.
Children should play indoors, regardless of the temperature, if the following occurs:
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The wind chill factor is reported as -28 C (-15F) or greater (This is the temperature at which exposed skin freezes in a few minutes
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Keep children away from the banks of ponds, lakes, streams and rivers during the spring thaw.
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Use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
| Page published on 2005-08-26 |
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