Winter safety tips for cold, ice and snow

Reviewed by Amy Frias, community health educator at Rady Children’s Hospital Orange County (Rady Children’s)

Winter safety tips for enjoying snow and ice activities

Winter isn’t a time to just stay indoors and wait for spring. There’s a whole wonderland of sports out there for the entire family and someone has to shovel the snow, right?

If you’re traveling to a cold or snowy destination, heading to the mountains, or just gearing up for winter at home, these tips are for you.

Follow these tips to keep safe outdoors in cold weather. 

Enjoying cold weather safely 

When heading outdoors in cold weather, the key is to stay safe and stay warm. Here are some practical tips for kids: 

1. Dress in layers: Layers trap heat and allow kids to adjust if they get too warm or wet. The colder it is, the more layers they need. 

2. Choose the right fabrics: Wool is warmer than cotton and helps retain heat even when damp. 

3. Stay dry: Waterproof pants and jackets help keep kids dry in snow or freezing rain. 

4. Wear a hat: A warm hat prevents heat loss from the head. 

5. Protect the face from sun: Snow reflects UV rays, so use sunscreen on exposed skin to prevent sunburn. 

6. Cover hands and feet: Gloves or mittens, warm socks, and boots help prevent frostbite. 

Winter safety tips for protecting kids from frostnip and frostbite 

1. Dress them warmly: Make sure children wear layers, hats, gloves and waterproof boots. Avoid letting them spend too much time in extreme cold. 

2. Watch for frostnip:
   • Frostnip is an early warning sign of cold injury.
   • Skin may become red, numb or tingly.
   • If you notice frostnip, bring your child inside immediately and remove wet clothing, which can draw heat from the body.
   • Warm the affected areas in warm (not hot) water for 20-30 minutes.

3. Recognize frostbite: It commonly affects fingers, toes, ears, noses and cheeks. Skin may turn white or yellowish-gray and feel very cold. 
   • Immediate action: Take your child to the nearest hospital emergency room. 

4. General prevention tip: Monitor time outside, provide frequent breaks indoors, and ensure kids stay dry and layered to prevent cold-related injuries. 

Winter safety tips for managing kids’ time outdoors in cold weather 

1. Watch for discomfort: There’s no strict time limit for being outside in cold weather, but if kids feel uncomfortable or too cold, it’s time to go indoors. 

2. Bring extra gloves or mittens: Keep a spare pair in your child’s pockets. Wet gloves can make hands cold quickly, so swapping to a dry pair can help them stay warm longer. 

3. Adjust time based on conditions: Extremely cold or wet weather may require shorter outdoor play sessions. Monitor kids and encourage breaks as needed. 

More winter safety tips to keep kids safe outdoors 

To help kids to enjoy winter sports, make sure they know to safely enjoy:  

• Sledding 
  • An adult should supervise at all times.
  • Teach kids to roll off the sled if they lose control.
  • Avoid sledding alone.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and watch for obstacles.

• Skiing 

• ice skating 

• Snowboarding 

• Ice hockey 

Going on a road trip in winter weather? Make sure you have a first-aid kit, extra blankets, and gloves in the car.  

Additional reading:  Quick Tips for Holiday Safety | Safe Kids Worldwide

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