While the snow may look soft and inviting at first glance, it can often hold new dangers for kids enjoying a trip down the sledding hill or a few times around the ice skating rink. The cold temperatures and miserable conditions that often greet your kids can also be of great concern. Take a few minutes to check over some of our safety guidelines to keep your kids happy and healthy all winter long, no matter what activity they enjoy in the outdoors.

Why The Additional Concern?
What many families neglect to understand is that the same bumps and bruises and dangers that your child faces during the warmer summer months are evident during the winter as well. Just because a layer of snow covers the solid ground below doesn't mean your child will not get hurt if he or she falls to the ground. Another problem parents face is not understanding the risks involved in winter activities. The dangers of riding a bike are very similar to those encountered when using a sled, but few parents take the time to reinforce the basics of safety while kids venture out to the sledding hill. One final factor that makes winter activities dangerous for children is the extreme weather conditions that we often see in Upstate New York. Biting winds often drop temperatures below zero and make even the softest snow and earth hard as a rock. Keep all of these factors in mind when thinking about winter safety and your children.

What Precautions Should I Take?
A fair amount of the dangers associated with winter activities can be eliminated by following a few basic safety rules that apply to many outdoor activities. The rule you should always follow is to dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Be sure to keep your extremities covered to help keep yourself warm, but monitor your child's temperature as they play to keep them from soaking their clothes with perspiration, which can create a chill later on. It is recommended to dress in layers for the best protection. In addition to dressing properly, it is a good idea to go over safety rules with your kids just as you would if they were leaving the house on their bicycle in the summer. When sledding be sure to get a sled that is maneuverable rather than a disk type sled which can leave your child with little control over their path. It is a good idea to go over basic rules and courtesies like staying clear of others on the hill, looking uphill when they get to the bottom and are exiting the area, and try to impress upon them the importance of controlling their sled. When skiing or skating be sure that your child is not pushing their level of experience. When skiing, beginners should stick to comfortable runs and try to target less crowded areas. When skating, remember to fall with your hands backward to avoid striking your head, and use the help of a fellow skater or a training aid if your skills are not what they should be. If you are utilizing public rinks, slopes or sledding runs be sure to go over the rules of the area with your children before setting out to be sure all of your bases are covered.

One of the best ways to ensure your child's safety this winter season is to enjoy these favorite wintertime activities with your child. Instead of standing at the top of the sledding run biting your nails as your child races in and out between others on the hill, take an active role and help make the day safe and enjoyable. Don't be afraid to take frequent breaks which not only prolong the enjoyment in many cases by giving the kids a rest, but it gives everyone an opportunity to warm up and replenish some of that energy with drinks and food.