Outdoor advice: How to keep kids safe and warm while playing outside

We were glad to see that our friends at Trying Together recently shared in their newsletter some great advice about keeping kids warm and safe while playing outdoors in winter. This expert advice came from healthychildren.org, which is produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Our region will see some seriously cold temperatures during the coming weeks, so many families will be seeking indoor options for exercise. (Don’t miss our new guide to climbing gyms and climbing walls, which has many indoor options.) But on snowy days, many kids will likely be eager to go sledding and play in the snow, and even on snow-free days there is plenty of fun to be had outdoors. 

We wanted to share some key points from this guide and also point Kidsburgh readers to the full guide, which you can find right here. It’s worth reading and keeping for reference. Among the important information they share:

GENERAL SAFETY
Children are more at risk from the cold than adults. Because their bodies are smaller, they lose heat more quickly. Dress kids in several thin layers, then add a warm coat, insulated boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat on top. Once kids come inside, make sure children change out of any wet clothes right away.

So it’s vital that adults keep track of how long kids have been playing outdoors in cold weather. Set reasonable limits on the amount of time outside and make sure kids have a place to go for regular indoor breaks to warm up.

In extreme cases, kids can get frostbite or hypothermia, both of which you can learn about right here. Along with dressing kids properly and limiting their time outside, check the temperature. Skin can freeze within minutes if the temperature or wind chill is below -15° Fahrenheit. So stay indoors if it’s that cold. (When it’s much too cold to play outside, our Maker Monday projects can keep kids busy.) 

SKATING AND SLEDDING
Allow children to skate only on approved surfaces and make sure they never skate alone. Advise kids to skate in the same direction as the crowd and avoid darting across the ice. Also consider having your child wear a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads, especially while learning to skate.

When sledding, supervise young kids and keep them separate from older children. Sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first, may prevent head injuries. Choose slopes that are free of obstructions like trees or fences, covered in snow (not ice), not too steep and end with a flat runoff.

SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING

Kids should be taught by a qualified instructor in a program designed for children. And even once younger kids get familiar with skiing, they should always be supervised by an adult. (Older kids’ need for adult supervision depends on their maturity and skill. But even experienced kids should never ski alone.)

All skiers and snowboarders should wear helmets. And other types of equipment and protection are important: Equipment should fit the child. Skiers should wear safety bindings that are adjusted at least every year. Snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards. Eye protection or goggles should also be used.

For more info, check out our guide to a safe and fun ski season for Pittsburgh-region families. And don’t miss Kidsburgh’s popular guide to winter hiking. 

Photo at top of story by Danielle-Claude Bélanger via Unsplash.