Winter Safety

Children spend a great deal of time outdoors. They are outside while traveling to school, during school recess breaks, while waiting for their ride home and while playing. These activities do not stop when the cold winter weather arrives. NOTE: Much of the information in this article can also be applied to adults who spend time outdoors in winter.

Tips to Prevent Frostbite and Hypothermia:

Parents - Preparing Children for Cold Weather

• Check weather forecasts to anticipate clothing needs throughout the day. Check out WeatherBug.com web site for the up-to-date weather conditions in your area.
• Choose play areas with warm shelters near by.
• Teach children the signs of frostbite and hypothermia and the importance of dressing warmly.
• Remember that the 'wind-chill factor' (wind plus freezing temperatures) means that it may be a lot colder than the thermometer says. Skin freezes much more quickly when the wind-chill factor is high. 

Kids - Wear the Gear

• Dress in layers of clothing. If you get too warm, you can take off one layer at a time. 
• Wear a hat. Most of our body heat is lost through our heads.
• To prevent frostbite, keep ears covered, wear mittens instead of gloves and wear warm, waterproof boots.

Other Winter Safety Tips for Parents and Kids:

• To prevent clothing related strangulation, wear neck warmers instead of scarves and remove all drawstrings from clothing.
• Keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice.
• Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice. Before crossing the road, be sure all vehicles have come to a complete stop.
• Stay away from snowplows and snow blowers.
• Ensure children never put their tongues on cold metal.
• Snow forts can be fun, but building tunnels can be dangerous -- tunnels may collapse and suffocate a child.
• Young children should be well supervised when they play outside.

Ice Safety

In winter, frozen lakes and ponds can offer fun and affordable recreation. However, if ice conditions are ignored, there is a risk of falling through the ice. Thin ice related injuries such as hypothermia and drowning happen every year. Fortunately, these ice-related injuries and deaths can usually be prevented.

Ice Injury Prevention Tips

Prepare for the Ice:

• Know what to do if you hear the ice crack:
1. Lay down on the ice.
2. Crawl or roll back to land.
• Teach children to call for help loudly and clearly if they are in trouble.
• KIDS, check with a responsible adult before heading out onto or near the ice.

Check out the Ice:

• When planning activities on lakes or rivers, check that the ice is smooth and at least 4 inches thick. Check with the local authorities for more information on ice thickness.
• Understand that ice is often unpredictable:
• Ice formed on moving water, such as rivers and creeks varies in thickness. Avoid walking on ice that is on or near moving water.
• In spring weather, thick ice is not necessarily safe. During the spring melt; lines of impurities in the ice melt very quickly, creating weak spots.
• Ice seldom freezes or thaws at an equal rate.

On the Ice:

• Obey all signs posted in or near the ice.
• Ensure that children only play on or near ice when a responsible adult is supervising.
• Use the 'buddy system' -- never walk on ice when you are alone.

Rescue Procedures

If you go through the ice, follow these 'Self-rescue Steps':

1. Float on your stomach facing the shore.
2. Slowly reach forward onto the ice - do not push down on it.
3. Kick your legs to slowly push your torso (the upper part of your body) onto the ice. If you can't climb onto the ice, float in the water and call fro help loudly and clearly.
4. Once back up onto the ice, crawl or roll away from the hole.
5. Get medical help immediately. 

Helping Others:

• A rescue attempt can result in two victims instead of one. Instead of attempting to pull someone who has fallen through the ice out yourself, help them to rescue themselves by: 
• Phoning 911 for help
• Calling out the 'Self-Rescue Steps' (above) to the victim.
• Pushing or throwing something (like a long stick, a branch, a rope or a floating aid) to the victim. Encourage them to use this to help them get out of the water or to float until expert help arrives.