Winter Safety

From LoveToKnow Safety

Colder months bring with them different risks of personal injury than warmer ones, and it's important to have a good understanding of winter safety issues.

Dress for the weather before heading out.

Winter Safety Tips

Here are some suggestions to keep you safe as you enjoy winter activities.

Stay Warm

Dress in layers

You want to dress appropriately for the weather when venturing outside and wearing several layers of clothing is a good idea. You will be well insulated against the cold and if you start feeling too hot, you can remove a layer. Make sure that your head, ears, and hands are covered.

Wear a helmet when participating in outdoor activities.

When you are skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, or skating, wear a helmet to protect your head if you fall.

Learn the symptoms of frostbite and how to treat it.

Be alert for patches of skin that appear grey or yellow in color; these are signs of frostbite. Pay particular attention to the fingers, toes, ears, and face, since these are the areas most often affected. The skin may feel numb or itchy.

If you suspect frostbite, get inside as soon as possible. Don't rub snow on the area or attempt to massage it to get it warmed up. Instead, place the cold part of the body next to a warm one, such as placing the affected hand under your armpit to get it warmed up. Get medical attention immediately.

Educate yourself about hypothermia.

Hypothermia occurs when a person is exposed to a combination of low temperatures, wind, and moisture at the same time. If the individual is complaining about the cold, uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, and/or vision problems, get them inside right away.

Get them into dry clothes right away, and get medical help immediately. Wrap a blanket around the person and don't rub the skin in an effort to warm the person or to restore circulation.

Stay Safe in the Snow

Don't throw snowballs at anyone.

Snowball throwing can be quite dangerous, since snow can have stones or pieces of ice embedded in it. This can cause serious injuries. Teach children never to throw snow and to find other ways to have fun in the snow.

Don't bury someone in snow.

This might seem as it would be a lot of fun, but the weight of it could cause someone to suffocate. Making tunnels in the snow is not a good idea, for the same reason.

Teach children not to eat snow.

Not only is there dirt in the snow, but it can also contain airborne pollutants, such as mercury. It is possible that snow will also contain animal excrement as well, which is another good reason for teaching children to keep it away from their mouths.

Be Careful on the Ice

Stay off lakes and ponds.

Unless you know that the ice is thick enough to be safe to walk on, stay away. Teach your children to do the same.

Keep your steps and sidewalk clear.

Injuries from slip and falls are all to common during the winter months. To minimize the risk of injury, shovel snow off your steps, sidewalk, and driveway promptly after each snowfall. Use sand or an ice-melting product to deal with slippery spots in these areas.

Snowmobiling Safety

Wear a helmet.

This winter safety advice applies to children and adults alike. No matter how carefully a snowmobile is being operated, accidents causing head injuries do occur.