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Playing it Safe in That Winter Wonderland

We know that winter is on the way when the temperature starts to drop, Christmas tunes greet us in the stores, and there are fewer hours of daylight to brighten our day. And as the days shorten, we wonder: What will we do with the kids all winter? If you are like me and my family, you head outside even if the mercury has dropped. Below are some tips for having a safe and fun winter season.

1. Keep Warm - This may seem obvious. However, kids don't know how to dress to stay warmest in cool temperatures. Dress the kids and yourself in layers with the closest layer to the body made of a wicking fabric (e.g., polypropylene long underwear). By using this approach any moisture from exertion will be taken away or "wicked" from the body helping keep the core of the body warm. In addition, if kids get hot running around they have the option to take off a layer or two without being totally exposed. As my grandfather always used to say, wearing a hat can be a good temperature regulator. In my experience hats really do keep you warm. According to a December 2005 Fitness Magazine article, thirty percent of heat loss occurs from the head. The opposite is also true, if you are overheated just take your hat off and you will feel much cooler.

Remember, frostbite and hypothermia are of concern in the winter. Keep in mind that hypothermia can occur in temperatures as high as 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit if conditions are damp and windy. Babies and the elderly are at highest risk due to being more sensitive to the cold.

2. Drink Plenty of Water - Even if kids say they aren't thirsty encourage them to drink water or other fluids. They have the same risk of getting dehydrated in winter as they do in the summer.

3. Wear Sunblock & Sunglasses - Although the sun is less strong in the winter there is still a chance of getting sunburned. This is particularly true if there is snow on the ground, as kids will be exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays from direct exposure as well as from the reflection of ultra violet rays off of the snow.

4. Warm Up & Stretch - Before the kids head outside in winter to play sports, shovel the driveway, or even partake in a snowball fight, encourage them to stretch their muscles. Winter sports often use muscle groups that summer sports don't use. (If it is the adults in the house that shovel the driveway, this suggestion is particularly important for you!)

5. Use Operational & Appropriate Gear - After lying around in the garage all summer, winter sports equipment should be tuned-up and tried-on to ensure safe operation and proper fit. If your kids will be sledding, have them use a sled that can steer—it's safer than flat sheets, toboggans or snow discs. If the kids will be ice-skating, ensure that their skates fit comfortably and that they provide adequate ankle support. If the kids are on the ski or snowboarding slopes, ensure that all bindings are readjusted based on the weight and ability level of the skier or snowboarder, and also have the edges of skis sharpened. When the kids partake in any of these sports, make sure that children under 12 wear a fitted helmet.

6. Be Aware of Your Surroundings - For sledding and ice skating, adults should always supervise children. When the kids are out sledding, make sure that the hill is safe (without obstacles in the sledding path or ending near a street, parking lot, pond, or other danger). Even seemingly safe obstacles, like snowbanks, can be harmful when they freeze. Never go down a hill headfirst, and don't allow too many people to pile onto one sled. When out ice-skating, only skate in designated areas where the ice is known to be strong, always check for cracks, holes, or debris on the ice, and never allow kids to skate alone. When snowshoeing, cross-county skiing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding, tell the kids to stay on designated trails and always remain alert to ensure that they don't get lost. When downhill skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, if you have to stop, don't stop in a high traffic area or where oncoming skiers, snowboarders, or those sledding can't see you. In addition, if you crash into someone ahead of you, the common understanding is that you are the responsible party because people ahead of you on the hill have the right of way.

Information used in this article was found at the following sources, which you can visit if you want to find out more about this topic:

http://www.saferchild.org/winter1.htm (Safer Child, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing parents, caregivers, and educators worldwide with the resources and information they need in order to help all children grow up health, safe, and happy.)

http://www.aaos.org/wordhtml/papers/position/1137.htm (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons is a nonprofit corporation created to serve the profession, champion the interests of patents, and advance the highest quality musculoskeletal health.)

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