While it can be plenty of fun for your child, winter also presents some of the most dangerous weather conditions. Between building snowmen and the snowball fights, it’s important to go over certain winter safety basics with your child. Here’s what you should know.
Winter Safety Basics Include Bungling Up
When it comes to winter safety basics, one of the most important things you can do is make sure your child is bungled up throughout the day. As kids will want to run outside and play in the snow, it’s important to make sure they’re wearing an appropriate amount of layers.
If your child plays outside this winter without the right amount of clothing, they may easily get sick. Some potential cold weather illnesses/ailments to be aware of include:
- Pneumonia
- Flu
- Frostbite
- Hypothermia
Ensuring your child is bundled up will prevent them from freezing and increase longevity when it comes to outdoor play! Be sure to stock up on jackets, hats, beanies, gloves, sweatpants, and snow boots.
Supervise Outdoor Play
Another important step in regards to winter safety basics includes supervising your child’s outdoor play. As previously mentioned and as we all know, children all go crazy for the snowtime. However, for as fun as snow may be, it can also be quite dangerous.
With snow, ice, hail, and rain, it can create a slush that can be dangerous for your child to play in. The slushiness outside on the road and sidewalks carry a high probability of your child slipping and falling. Tying back to the previous point, ensuring your child is layered up can be a good preventative measure to this, as the layers can cushion a fall. But ultimately, it’s imperative that parents supervise their children’s outdoor play. This will ensure that your child remains safe by playing in areas that aren’t hazardous and possibly injurious to their health.
Limit Cold Exposure
As tempting as it may be for your child to play in the snow everyday, it’s important to limit cold exposure. A core part of winter safety basics, you can do this by setting aside a certain amount of playtime for your child throughout the day.
When it comes to outdoor play, it’s best if your child plays at noon when the sun is the highest. Though it still may be cold, the afternoon is the best chance kids have at playing outside while it’s “warm.” Playing outside in the evening when the sun goes away only increases risk of injury as it can tense up your child’s muscles, expose them to cold weather-related illnesses, and more. Keep them warm for as much as possible!
Fire Safety
Lastly, if your house has a chimney or your backyard has a fire pit, it’s best to educate your child on fire safety. Use the time to educate your child on the dangers of fire and the necessary precautions to take in case of an emergency.
Keeping a fire extinguisher on hand can best protect your family. Furthermore, keeping operating smoke alarms around the house can help keep everyone in the home safe and alert to any outbreaks. As adults, take responsibility for lighting and extinguishing any fires that may need to be put out. This behavior can serve as a good modeling effect for your young, impressionable children.
Safety at Buckley Day Camp
At Buckley, your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. As you drop your children off at Buckley Day Camp, your child will experience a world full of adventure and curiosity. With our dedicated camp counselors and facility, we make sure that your child remains safe through it all. To learn more about Buckley’s offerings, please take a look at our activities and contact us today!