Winter is a time for fun and leisure for those of us who take part in activities during the winter time.
Therefore, it is a good idea for us to learn a few safety tips if we don't already know them.
The tips below will help us stay safe while participating in our winter activities.
Winter Sports and Activities Reasonable time limits should be set by parents on outdoor play to prevent children from getting frostbite.
Children should always come inside periodically to warm up when playing outside.
While in the elements, proper winter attire should always be worn.
For children, an extra layer of clothing should be worn.
If hypothermia is suspected, call 911 immediately.
Stay indoors until help arrives.
Remove all clothing and wrap the individual in blankets and warm clothing.
Place the affected body parts of the individual in warm water if frostbite occurs.
Hot water should never be used in this scenario.
Ice Skating Children should always be allowed to skate only on approved surfaces.
Parents should check for signs that have been posted by local authorities.
If there are no signs, the local police department should be called for information as to which areas have been approved for ice skating.
Advise children to always skate in the same direction as a crowd.
Never dart across the ice in front of a crowd.
Avoid from skating alone.
Chewing gum or eating candy should always be avoided while skating.
Skating can be very dangerous if extra care is not taken.
Therefore, it is advisable that a child wears a helmet while ice skating.
Sledding Sled riders must be kept away from motor vehicles at all times.
Never should a child be left unsupervised while sledding.
Make an effort to keep younger children separated from older ones.
To prevent head injuries, sledding feet first or sitting up should be encouraged instead of lying down head first.
A helmet should also be worn while sledding.
For better control, choose steerable sleds over snow disks or inner tubes.
Parents should thoroughly inspect sleds for defects, sharp edges and splinters, and should ensure that steering mechanism is well lubricated.
Slopes for sledding should be free of obstructions such as trees or fences and all surfaces should be covered in snow, not ice.
The slopes should not be too steep.
All sled slopes should be less than 30 degrees.
Make all effort to stay clear of crowded areas such as trees while sledding.
Snow Skiing and Snowboarding A program designated for children and a qualified instructor should be the only way children are taught to ski or snowboard.
Young children should at all times be supervised by an adult; never should they be allowed to ski or snowboard alone.
Older children should also be supervised but the amount of supervision will dependent on their maturity level and skill.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that snowboarding activities be withheld from children under 7 years old.
Like other skiing activities, a helmet should be worn.
In fact, all equipment should fit the child, such as gloves, and safety bindings that are adjusted yearly.
Snowboarders' gloves should have built in wrist guards.
The slope used should fit the ability and experience of the child.
The slope should not be crowded or in the vicinity of trees or other obstacles.
Snowmobiling Children under the age of 16 should not be allowed to operate snowmobiles, and children under 6 years of age should never ride on snowmobiles.
Using a snowmobile to pull a sled or a skier is not a very good practice and therefore, should never be done.
Goggles and safety helmets approved for use on motorized vehicles like motorcycles should always be worn when operating a snowmobile.
Avoid snowmobiling alone or at night.
When riding, stay clear of marked trails, roads, water, railroads, and pedestrian.
Sun Protection Even though it may seem unlikely that one could get sunburned during the winter time, it is still very possible.
In fact, the ice itself can intensify the heat from the sun and cause sunburn as a result of the sun's rays reflecting off the snow and hitting exposed surfaces of the skin.
Therefore, parents should make sure that they cover any exposed skin with sun screen.
Finally, if an accident occurs, please take all appropriate steps to notify medical personnel by dialing 911, immediately.
This article was written with information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Therefore, it is a good idea for us to learn a few safety tips if we don't already know them.
The tips below will help us stay safe while participating in our winter activities.
Winter Sports and Activities Reasonable time limits should be set by parents on outdoor play to prevent children from getting frostbite.
Children should always come inside periodically to warm up when playing outside.
While in the elements, proper winter attire should always be worn.
For children, an extra layer of clothing should be worn.
If hypothermia is suspected, call 911 immediately.
Stay indoors until help arrives.
Remove all clothing and wrap the individual in blankets and warm clothing.
Place the affected body parts of the individual in warm water if frostbite occurs.
Hot water should never be used in this scenario.
Ice Skating Children should always be allowed to skate only on approved surfaces.
Parents should check for signs that have been posted by local authorities.
If there are no signs, the local police department should be called for information as to which areas have been approved for ice skating.
Advise children to always skate in the same direction as a crowd.
Never dart across the ice in front of a crowd.
Avoid from skating alone.
Chewing gum or eating candy should always be avoided while skating.
Skating can be very dangerous if extra care is not taken.
Therefore, it is advisable that a child wears a helmet while ice skating.
Sledding Sled riders must be kept away from motor vehicles at all times.
Never should a child be left unsupervised while sledding.
Make an effort to keep younger children separated from older ones.
To prevent head injuries, sledding feet first or sitting up should be encouraged instead of lying down head first.
A helmet should also be worn while sledding.
For better control, choose steerable sleds over snow disks or inner tubes.
Parents should thoroughly inspect sleds for defects, sharp edges and splinters, and should ensure that steering mechanism is well lubricated.
Slopes for sledding should be free of obstructions such as trees or fences and all surfaces should be covered in snow, not ice.
The slopes should not be too steep.
All sled slopes should be less than 30 degrees.
Make all effort to stay clear of crowded areas such as trees while sledding.
Snow Skiing and Snowboarding A program designated for children and a qualified instructor should be the only way children are taught to ski or snowboard.
Young children should at all times be supervised by an adult; never should they be allowed to ski or snowboard alone.
Older children should also be supervised but the amount of supervision will dependent on their maturity level and skill.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that snowboarding activities be withheld from children under 7 years old.
Like other skiing activities, a helmet should be worn.
In fact, all equipment should fit the child, such as gloves, and safety bindings that are adjusted yearly.
Snowboarders' gloves should have built in wrist guards.
The slope used should fit the ability and experience of the child.
The slope should not be crowded or in the vicinity of trees or other obstacles.
Snowmobiling Children under the age of 16 should not be allowed to operate snowmobiles, and children under 6 years of age should never ride on snowmobiles.
Using a snowmobile to pull a sled or a skier is not a very good practice and therefore, should never be done.
Goggles and safety helmets approved for use on motorized vehicles like motorcycles should always be worn when operating a snowmobile.
Avoid snowmobiling alone or at night.
When riding, stay clear of marked trails, roads, water, railroads, and pedestrian.
Sun Protection Even though it may seem unlikely that one could get sunburned during the winter time, it is still very possible.
In fact, the ice itself can intensify the heat from the sun and cause sunburn as a result of the sun's rays reflecting off the snow and hitting exposed surfaces of the skin.
Therefore, parents should make sure that they cover any exposed skin with sun screen.
Finally, if an accident occurs, please take all appropriate steps to notify medical personnel by dialing 911, immediately.
This article was written with information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.