Exquisite snowflakes to catch on your tongue, snowmen to build in the snow, snowballs to throw at your brother, races with sleds down the hills, ice skates and hockey on frozen rinks, and snow angels to make on the new fallen snow. Children love the snow and all of winter’s playground. But playing in the cold, should be fun and safe!

Staying Warm

• Dress your child in several loose thin layers of clothing. Trapped air will insulate against the cold.
• Outer garments (snow pants and hooded jacket) should be water-repellent and brightly colored. Have your child wear mittens and a hat.
• Protect the child’s face, mouth and eyes from wind with mask and googles, if needed.
• Protect your child’s face and lips with sunscreen, if exposed.
• Babies should stay indoors if the outside temperature is below 40 degrees since they can quickly lose body heat.Set reasonable time limits for staying out in the cold. Have your child come inside to warm up periodically.
• Check on your child often to be sure his mittens and clothing are dry and faces and nodes are not too red. 

Hypothermia

• Occurs when your child’s body temperature falls below 95 degrees F. It can happen due to a child’s exposure to cold especially if not dressed properly or if clothing gets wet. Severe hypothermia can cause damage to internal organs or death.
• Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, numbness, lethargy, clumsiness, drowsiness, slurred speech, disorientation, slow pulse, exhaustion, and lowered body temperature. 
• If you think your child may have hypothermia, call 911. Take your child inside. Remove wet clothing and wrap your child with warm blankets or clothing. Cover your child’s head and neck also. 
• Warm your child slowly starting with the body core first and then the arms and legs. This is important so that cold blood is not driven toward the heart which could cause heart failure.
• Do not give your child hot liquids or food.
• Do not expose your child to any direct heat such as a hot bath, heating pads, hot water bottles, fireplaces, or radiators.

Frostbite 

• Frostbite occurs when your child’s skin and soft tissue freezes. Usually frostbite occurs on fingers, toes, ears and noses.
• Frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes if the wind chill is -20 degrees.
• Symptoms of frostbite include pale white or gray (eventually black) or blistered skin. Frostbitten areas may feel numb, tingling, burning or painful.
• If frostbite occurs, bring your child inside. The skin needs to be warmed up carefully. If your child also has symptoms of hypothermia, warm the body core before warming the extremities. 
• Do not rub the frozen skin.
• Warm frostbitten parts in warm not hot water or apply a warm washcloth for a few minutes. Then dry and cover your child with warm clothing or blankets. Give your child something warm but not hot to drink.
• Call your child’s doctor if the numbness continues for more than a few minutes.

Sledding 

• Supervise your child while sledding.
• Choose a safe hill for your child’s sledding. The hill should be not too steep, away from   traffic, covered in snow and not ice, and free of trees, rocks, fences or other obstacles. And a flat landing area at the bottom of the slope is ideal. 
• Be sure there is no water, frozen water or a roadway near the sledding area.
• Have your child sled feet first or sitting up to help avoid a head injury.
• Consider having your child wear a helmet. 

Ice Skating 

• Have your child skate on approved surfaces only, like an ice rink or approved recreation area.
• Never allow your child to skate or walk on a frozen pond or lake without your own or expert verification of ice thickness and safety. Never assume that the ice will hold even a small child’s weight.
• Never allow your child to skate or walk on ice over moving water like a river or stream.
• Consider having your child wear a helmet.

Snowboarding and Skiing 

• Have a qualified instructor teach your child to snowboard or ski.
• Be sure your child’s equipment fits properly. Consider a helmet.
• Supervise your child.
• Choose a safe site.
• Snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards.

Snowmobiling 

• Children under six years old should not ride on a snowmobile even with an adult. Children under sixteen should not operate a snowmobile.
• Equip your child with an approved safety helmet and goggles.
• Operate your snowmobile at safe speeds and only on safe trails. Avoid water, roadways and railroads.
• Be sure someone knows where you are going.

Keep your child safe and have fun! Then come inside for hot cocoa and a snack!