The first sight of snow falling from the grey winter sky can be one of the greatest thrills for children during the early months of the year. Nearly all kids love to engage in snowball fights, sledging and building a snowman whilst frolicking in the white stuff.
However, if not adequately prepared for, the icy conditions can often lead to illness, serious injury or even death. It is therefore extremely important for parents to make their children aware of how to keep safe when playing in the ice and snow.
Preparing Children to Play in the Snow
Children can easily fall victim to hypothermia or other similar cold-related illnesses such as frostbite or chilblains if not properly dressed for the freezing cold conditions. It is important to ensure that children are wearing extra layers of clothing to protect themselves from the cold and wet conditions.
The temperatures of hands and feet are the first to drop as the body adjusts to cold conditions. This makes thick gloves and socks essential wear when playing in the snow. It is also vital to wear a scarf and thick winter hat as over half of a person's body heat is lost via the head and neck.
As bizarre as it sounds, the use of sunscreen is especially important as the snow and ice can reflect 85% of the sun's UV rays back into exposed skin.
Children should refrain from wearing flat soled-shoes in order to best avoid slipping and injuring themselves on icy surfaces. Wellies or walking boots are the best choice of footwear in snowy conditions.
Safe Locations to Play in the Snow
Children should be warned of the dangers of playing near roads during icy conditions. It becomes much harder for cars to steer or brake in the snow whilst visibility is often reduced for drivers – making it much more difficult to avoid potential hazards in the road.
It could also prove fatal to let children play near frozen ponds or lakes even if they are completely covered in snow. It is almost impossible to tell how much weight that frozen ponds can support and it can prove very difficult to scramble to safety after falling through frozen ice.
The best locations to enjoy the snow are in large open fields or parks.
Safety Tips for Sledging
Sledging down hills can be one of the most enjoyable activities in the snow but can also be very dangerous if not enjoyed in a suitable location.
Sledgers should take the time to inspect the location for hazards such as rocks, trees and frozen water whilst ensuring there is enough stopping distance at the bottom of the hill.
Parents need to keep children safe while they play in icy and snowy conditions in winter. This can be achieved by preparing kids to play in the snow with the right clothing as well as choosing safe locations to play and for sledging.
Join the Conversation