With snow comes outdoor activities like sled riding, skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. Thousands of children suffer injuries during these activities that may be prevented.


Helmets are essential for many outdoor winter activities. The risk of head injury is too great to leave the helmet in a closet at home. Helmets prevent or reduce the effects of 53 percent of the head injuries suffered by children while skiing or snowboarding. Children should bundle up and enjoy the outdoors. Before heading out, it is important to remember a few key items in addition to the hat and gloves.


Outdoor Safety for Children
While freezing winter temperatures keep many adults indoors, children may want to play outside all day. Each year, emergency rooms in the United States treat thousands of children for injuries related to sledding and ice skating. Exposure to cold without adequate protection can result in frostbite.


Remember the rules:
Dress children warmly. Clothing should consist of several layers and include boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat. Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. Occasionally call children in to warm up. Provide warm drinks such as hot chocolate.

Limit the amount of time that infants are outdoors when it is colder than 40 degrees. Infants lose body heat quickly. Children should skate only on approved surfaces. Check for posted signs or call local authorities to find out which areas have been approved. Children should be taught to skate in the same direction as the crowd and avoid darting across the ice. They should also use a "buddy system" and never skate alone.

Children should sled on gently-sloping terrain covered with packed snow (not ice). Parents and caregivers should look for terrain that is free of obstacles and far from traffic. Wear a helmet while sledding, remember to protect your brain.

Sledding equipment should be sturdy and safely constructed. Avoid equipment with sharp or jagged edges. Children should be encouraged to sit up while riding downhill. Lying flat increases the chance of head and abdominal injuries. Sledding equipment should be easily steered. Avoid makeshift sleds. Tell children never to ride in a sled that is being pulled by a motorized vehicle.


Frostbite
If a child complains of numbness or pain in the fingers, toes, nose, cheeks or ears while playing in the snow, or if his skin is blistered, hard to the touch or glossy, be alerted to the possibility of frostbite and take the following steps:

1. Take the child indoors. Call a doctor.
2. Tell the child to wiggle the affected body part(s) to increase blood supply to that are. Warm the frozen part(s) against the body. Hold fingers to the chest, for example.
3. Immerse frozen part(s) in warm, not hot, water. Frozen tissue is fragile and can be damaged easily. Avoid warming with high heat from radiators, fireplaces or stoves, and avoid rubbing or breaking blisters.

Snow Skiing and Snowboarding

1. Children should be taught to ski or snowboard by a qualified instructor in a program designed for children. Never ski or snowboard alone.
2. Consider wearing a helmet. 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.
3. Slopes should fit the ability and experience of the skier or snowboarder.  Avoid crowded slopes. Avoid skiing in areas with trees and other obstacles.

Pedestrian Safety
Slippery driveways and sidewalks can be particularly hazardous in the winter. Keep them well shoveled, and apply materials such as rock salt or sand to improve traction.

1. Make sure that children under age 10 do not cross streets alone, and make sure children wear appropriate shoes and brightly colored (not white) clothing while walking in snowy conditions.

Use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum protection, especially at dawn and dusk.