Safety Tips to Children Safely Playing in Cold Temperatures

Now that winter is upon us, when children want to play outside in the extreme cold temperatures, the American Red Cross offers some safety tips for staying safe in cold conditions.

1. Dress in layers of light clothing: rather than just wearing a heavy coat, wear undergarments, shirt and sweater, tights or knee socks, pants and boots along with a warm coat.

2. Cover your head and hands: wearing a hat, stocking cap, or hood and gloves will prevent losing too much body heat quickly.

3. Limit your time of exposure to low temperatures: small children need to come inside every 10 minutes to get warm before returning to outdoor play.

4. Seek medical attention immediately: if you or your child experiences symptoms of dizziness, confusion, and severe shivering, as hyperthermia may be a concern.

5. Watch for symptoms of frostbite: your extremities may show signs of frostbite if there is a numbness and skin discoloration of the fingers, nose, face, or toes. If this occurs, seek a warm shelter and begin first aid treatment. Remember to use “luke-warm” water rather than hot water to soak hands and feet. Call emergency medical attendants immediately for frostbite exposure.

6. Drink hot liquids and stay hydrated: keeping hot cocoa or hot tea available for warm-up breaks from being in the cold will help to keep the body warm on the inside. It is important to stay hydrated when playing in the cold temperatures, so drink plenty of water, too.

7. Final tip: get into a warm shelter before any of the extreme exposure symptoms become severe.

Let your children have fun during the winter months when the sun is shining. Just take precaution when the temperatures dip below freezing. You will want to keep your child happy, healthy, and safe until the season changes for warmer days.