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The Parent Times>
December 2009 - WINTER SAFETY
December 1, 2009
Fun in the Sun
We are always so concerned about applying sunscreen on our children in the summer months BUT it is just as important to apply sunscreen to our children during the winter month when they are going to play outside. We have to remember that the sun reflects off all that bright white snow and ice. Make sure you also apply some lip balm that contains sunscreen as well.
Staying Warm / Winter Clothing
Staying warm is important as your body needs to stay warm to work properly. Layering is an easy way to dress kids for the outside. This way if they start to get too warm, all you have to do is remove a layer for them. You do not want your child to sweat while playing outside as sweating will make the child feel cooler once they stop playing. Here are some key points:
1. Make sure your child wears a hat at all times as a lot of body heat is lost through the head;
2. Wear mittens instead of gloves so that their fingers can be bunched together for warmth;
3. Always have their ears covered to prevent frostbit;
4. Remove any drawstrings from clothing that could catch on climbing gear;
5. Wear waterproof warm boots;
6. Have your child wear a neck warmer rather than a scarf; and
7. If your child is going to be doing any type of snowboarding, skiing or sledding, make sure that they are wearing the proper protective gear, especially a proper helmet.
Sledding
The Canadian Pediatric Society suggests that no child under the age of 5 should go down a hill alone. Before your child makes their first run down the hill, make sure that there are no exposed rocks, trees or any other kind of obstruction in the way. Also do not let your children go down a hill that ends at a road or steep drop off. Children should always wear a helmet, a ski or hockey helmet, rather than a bike helmet when sledding. Further make sure that there are no sharp edges on the sled and that the handles on the sled are secure. Sleds that have some kind of steering mechanism are recommended instead of tubes and magic carpets where the child does not have much control of the direction the sled goes. Lastly, never lay down on a sled as this can increase the risk of injury to the head, spine and stomach but rather have your child sit or kneel on the sled. Oh I almost forgot, teach your children to sled down the middle of the hill and when they get to the bottom clear out of the way fast and go to the sides of the hill where they should walk back up. Make sure they know NOT to walk back up the centre of the hill. Every year I see kids get plowed down by other kids sleds because they decide to walk up the centre of the hill and are not paying attention to what is ahead of them or in this case coming at them.
Skiing and Snowboarding
The most important thing to first do when preparing for your child to do either of the above activities is to make sure their equipment fits properly and is NOT too big. Many parents like to buy the equipment a size larger saying that their kids will grow into it , but this can be dangerous. The equipment needs to be fitted properly. Secondly, it is recommended that children take some sort of lessons and instructions when learning how to do the above activities through a certified instructor. Of course always make sure your child is wearing the proper ski/snowboarding helmet. Kids should also wear wrist guards when snowboarding to help prevent wrist injuries. Goggles might be a good idea as well, especially if it snowing. If it is sunny make sure to pack a pair of sunglasses. Parents also have to teach your kids about safety on the mountain. Most important to make sure your children know to ONLY ski or snowboard in open ski areas and on marked trails and NOT to go out of bounds no matter what. Further, kids should never go skiing or snowboarding alone, they should always have a partner. Again remember to put sunscreen and a lip balm with SPF on before they head up the mountain. Lastly, have a plan for the day. If your children are old enough to go on their own for a while have a time and place to meet to check in, several times throughout the day. Now a days you can even give your child a walkie talkie and you have the other one and can check in regularly with them as well.
Snowmobiles
It is recommended that children younger than age 6 should never ride on a snowmobile, even with an adult (Canadian Pediatric Society). Children under the age of 16 should not operate a snowmobile which makes sense as kids under this age are not allowed to drive a car either! Anyone riding a snowmobile should ALWAYS wear a helmet. Head injuries are the leading cause of snowmobile related deaths. Also never pull a child behind a snowmobile on a tube, sled or any other object.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
One product that I really like and recommend to parents is the safe-er-grip made by Mommys Helper. Whoever has children knows that they always want to climb in and out of the bathtub themselves. That is why I highly recommend this product. This handle can either suction onto the tub as shown above OR it can suction onto the wall. This handle is not only good for children but for any adults who have any balance problems or bad hips, knees or ankle problems and would like to have a bit more support and stability while getting in and out of the tub/shower. A lot of my clients have also bought this product for their grandmothers and grandfathers so that they have something they can actually hold onto while getting in and out rather than just leaning their hand on the wall.
For a full description and price to purchase, check out my website at http://www.childsafetyprofessionals.com/bathroomsafetyproducts.html
*Please note that all tips are offered as suggestions only. While we have tried to provide you with some suggestions to help parents keep their kids safe, unfortunately we cannot think of everything and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their childrens safety.
Check us out on Facebook (Childproofers BC), Twitter (Childproofersbc) and Blogspot (Child Safety BC) for regular updates. Links to these sites will be posted.
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/home.php?ref=home
Twitter - http://twitter.com/childproofersbc
Blogspot - http://childsafetybc.blogspot.com/
Erin Johnston
Child Safety Professionals http://www.childsafetyprofessionals.com/ChildproofersBC.html
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