When the colder temperatures set in, it’s hard for children and adults to be cooped up inside all the time. But before you head outdoors for some winter-time fun, be sure to review these easy tips for keeping children safe in cold weather.
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Don’t skip the sunscreen: It may be freezing outside, but the exposed skin on your child’s face still needs protection. Snow reflects more than 75% of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, so make sure your child is wearing sunscreen for outdoor play.
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Dress in layers: The key to staying warm for long periods of time outdoors without getting overheated, is lots of layers. Choose fabrics that are wind and waterproof for the best insulation. And don’t forget a hat: most body heat escapes from the head, so it’s very important to keep the head covered.
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Be a good sport: Winter sports, such as ice skating, hockey, sledding, snow skiing and snowboarding are a ton of fun, but can also be dangerous. Always supervise your child and insist that they wear the appropriate safety gear.
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Drink up: Although your child may not sweat as much when it’s so cold outside, they still need to stay hydrated. Encourage plenty of water breaks, along with that hot cup of cocoa.
- Avoid frostbite: It’s hard to make your child come inside, especially if they’re having fun playing outdoors and hate to be cooped up inside. But monitoring how long a child is outdoors is very important in order to avoid frostbite. Teach children to come indoors immediately if they begin to feel numbness in fingers, toes, cheeks, ears, or nose and limit outdoor play to small chunks of time in order to stay on the safe side.
Practicing these simple safety measures will help your family avoid a needless cold weather emergency and enjoy a Winter wonderland.
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