Winter Safety...

Winter Weather Safety Tips

Here are some tips to keep in mind while your family is enjoying the great outdoors during the winter season.

·         Check the weather report and heed precautions and advisories.  If weather warnings suggest a severe wind chill or extremely low temperatures, consider avoiding outdoor activities until the weather improves.

·         Drive Carefully - be prepared - see Winter Driving Tips.

·         Be aware of avalanche warnings also.

·         Be aware of symptoms and treatment for hypothermia, snow blindness and frostbite.

·         See specific sections of this page for safety tips on winter activities.

·         Practice Sun Safety.

·         Remember First Aid Tips including a first aid supplies.

·         Dress in layers.  It is very important to keep warm and dry while enjoying outdoor activities in the winter.

·         When not wearing a helmet, wear a hat, and a neck guard.  Keep ears covered too.   Noses can be covered with neck guard.

·         Click on the coat to view travel news about the danger of drawstrings on children's outerwear.  

·         Make sure that clothes is comfortable.  Tight clothing restrict circulation and can increase changes of frostbite.

·         Wear brightly coloured clothing - easier to be seen.

·         Take extra care when dusk or evening approaches as a result of reduced visibility.

·         Goggles that provide Sun Safety can also protect eyes from cold, wind and snow.

·         Remove all drawstrings from children's snow suits and avoid use of scarves to reduce the risk of strangulation.

·         Don't overdo activities.  

·         Try to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits.

·         Avoid alcohol, tobacco, drugs and consider reducing caffeine consumption.

·         Take some time to relax and give children some "down time" as well.

·         Have children (and adults) where helmets designed for the activity if it involves a risk of head injury or required by law - see helmets

·         Teach children never to touch metal during cold temperatures.

·         Children should be taught never to throw snow at other people.  Snowballs can contain ice chunks or stones that can cause harm including damage to eyes.

·         Never bury anyone in snow as there is a risk of suffocation and teach children never to make tunnels in the snow.

·         Don't let children eat snow.  Even white snow can contain pollutants from the air, including trace minerals like mercury.  Snow can also contain windblown soils that can include animal fecal matter.

·         Teach children to never venture onto ice, ponds or lakes without an adult first checking the ice.

·         Children should never play on snow piles near parking lots or on the road side.  Make sure children never go near snow plows or areas being plowed.