WINTER SAFETY: ADVICE FOR PARENTS TO PROTECT BABIES AND TODDLERS FROM EXTREME COLD
Winter is a great season for outdoor activities, such as sledding and skating. Cold weather, ice, and snow can be fun but also dangerous for children. The following tips will help parents and children enjoy winter activities safely. IN GENERAL Children shouldn’t play outside alone. Establish a buddy system with one or more friends and have them look out for one another. Children younger than 8 years of age should always be supervised outside. Consider keeping them indoors whenever the temperature or the wind chill is reported to be -27°C (-16°F) or lower. At these temperatures, exposed skin will begin to freeze. Never send children outside unsupervised in extreme weather conditions such as snowstorms. Check often to see that your child is warm and dry. Younger children should take regular breaks and come inside for a warm drink. Help children choose play areas with a warm shelter nearby (e.g., near home or a friend’s ho