Here are few tips for keeping your children safe during their outside play in the snow:
1. Children should dress in layers with hats and gloves. When the gloves get wet, it’s time to come inside and change.
2. Limit the playtime in the snow from 1-3 hours, depending on your child’s age and the cold temperatures. If your child’s face becomes red, that’s a good sign that the temperature is too cold for long exposure.
3. Include sun screen on the face to protect the skin from the sunlight’s reflection on the snow. Even on cloudy days, sun screen is still a good idea for skin protection.
4. Children should play with others while outside. Have a buddy rule in place so they can watch out for each other.
5. Choose play areas away from roads, fences, and water. Especially encourage your child to be careful around frozen ponds and lakes.
6. Snowball fights can be very dangerous. Avoid all games that involve snowballs or throwing snow.
7. Don’t allow your children to eat snow, as it can be dirty.
8. Sledding is fun but can also cause head, spine, or stomach injuries. Children should always sit up or kneel on the sled. Wearing a bike helmet would give extra protection, too.