Winter Safety
Enjoy the winter months and remember to dress children in warm clothing when outdoors in cool and cold temperatures.
Dress children in warm clothing when outdoors in cool and cold temperatures.
Sledding and Tobogganing
Check that the hill:
Use sleds or toboggans that can be steered and have brakes. Saucers, snow disks, and inner tubes provide very little control and are not recommended.
Inspect the toboggan to ensure it is in good condition and not cracked or broken. Teach children to check the toboggan so that as they get older they can be aware of hazards too.
Dress children in warm clothing when outdoors in cool and cold temperatures.
For more information on appropriate clothing, see Hypothermia and Frostbite.
Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf and remove strings and cords from children’s clothing. Scarves, strings, and cords can become caught on sleds or other objects and strangle a child. If a scarf is used, tuck the ends into the child’s jacket.
A head or brain injury is serious and can occur while tobogganing. A ski/snowboard helmet is recommended for anyone who is tobogganing. Ski/snowboard helmets are designed for use in cold weather and for similar types of falls and speeds. A hockey helmet can also be used if a ski/snowboard helmet is not available.* A thin, warm hat that covers the earlobes should be worn under the helmet.
Provide supervision at all times for children as they toboggan. Young children should never toboggan alone.
The safest position to be in while tobogganing is kneeling. Have children kneel or sit on the toboggan. Sliding headfirst on the stomach or lying on the back increases the risk of injury to head, spine, or spinal cord.
* Check that the ski /snowboard helmets meet CSA, ASTM, Snell, or CEN standards (CSA Z263.1-2008, ASTM F2040, CEN 1077, Snell RS-98 or S-98). Hockey helmets should meet CSA standards.
Skating
Make sure the ice is:
15cm
(6 inches) for walking or skating.
20cm
(8 inches) for skating parties or games.
*Check that hockey helmets meet CSA standards.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Dress children in warm clothing when outdoors in cold temperatures.
Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf and remove strings and cords from children’s clothing. Scarves, strings, and cords can become caught on objects and strangle a child. If a scarf is used, tuck the ends into the child’s jacket.
A ski/snowboard helmet helps protect from a head or brain injury and is recommended for all skiers and snowboarders.
The reflection of the sun off the snow can be damaging to eyes and exposed skin. All skiers and snowboarders should wear goggles or sunglasses with UV protection and sunscreen to protect from sunburns.
Check ski and snowboard equipment each year to make sure it fits properly, is well maintained, and in good working condition.
Teach children:
New and inexperienced skiers and snowboarders should take lessons from a certified instructor at the hill.
* Check that ski /snowboard helmets meet CSA, ASTM, Snell, or CEN standards (CSA Z263.1-2008, ASTM F2040, CEN 1077, Snell RS-98 or S-98). Note: In 2014, the Canadian Standards Association released a new standard for multi-impact ski and snowboard helmets. For more information, click here.
Hypothermia
How to Prevent Hypothermia
Hypothermia can occur when a child’s body is exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time and body heat is lost faster than produced.
Dress children in warm clothing when outdoors in cool and cold temperatures. Children should wear:
If clothing becomes wet or damp, change child into warm and dry clothing as soon as possible.
If a child is wearing a scarf, tuck the ends of the scarf into the jacket to prevent the scarf from becoming tangled. Loose scarf ends that become caught on playground equipment, in doors, on sleds, or on other objects can cause strangulation.
The Warning Signs of Hypothermia:
Babies have different warning signs when they have hypothermia. These include:
What to Do If Your Child has Hypothermia:
Seek medical attention immediately. Move your child into a warm room. Give the child a warm beverage to help increase the body temperature. Keep the person dry and wrap the body, neck, and head in a warm blanket.
* Never give an alcoholic beverage to a person with hypothermia.
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when a child’s skin freezes. Frostbite can occur if skin is not protected or covered in cold temperatures. The most common body parts to get frostbite are the cheeks, ears, nose, hands, and feet.
How to Prevent Frostbite:
* If a child is wearing a scarf, tuck the ends of the scarf into the jacket to prevent the scarf from becoming tangled. Loose scarf ends that become caught on playground equipment, in doors, on sleds or on other objects can cause strangulation.
The Warning Signs of Frostbite:
What to Do If Your Child has Frostbite:
Available for DOWNLOAD
Winter Safety Infographic
Winter Safety Fact Sheet
