Kids and Winter: A Survival Mini-Guide for Busy Parents

 

Winter can be fun for kids, but also dangerous. The bitter cold is harsh, harsh, harsh. Thank goodness for layering. If your children will be rushing out to play in the snow, here’s what you need to know to protect them from injuries, frostbite, and hypothermia.

What You Need To Keep Them Warm

There are a few things you need to know about keeping kids warm. The first thing is layering. Your mom, or grandmother, probably taught you this. Start with a base layer made of wool. Wool is not only a great insulator, it helps to keep moisture at bay.

So, even if your child sweats, it’s not going to cause serious problems because it will wick away moisture, regulating your child’s temperature. Make sure the wool is snug-fitting. For additional layers, make sure that you use either wool or synthetic materials. Don’t use cotton, as it holds moisture and takes a long time to dry.

Synthetic materials can also be waterproof, which is great for exterior shells if you intend to go snowboarding or skiing. Your little ones will stay dry while also staying warm. Layering also allows your children to remove clothing if they get too hot.

What To Do If You’re On A Vacation

If you’re away on vacation, the first thing you should do is book a room or check out Whistler Blackcomb lodging. This gives you a warm retreat after the sun goes down. Other than that, make sure you bring a dry set of clothes, and that you pack extra layers for the day of, just in case. Don’t forget your child’s safety gear, snacks, and any medication you need for them.

Supervise Your Children

Never let children stray too far from you, and always keep them within sight if you’re at a ski resort. Even if you’re at a park, kids should always be supervised while playing outside in the snow. A lot of times, kids misjudge their own potential. As a parent, you can stop things before they happen if you’re just there to pay attention to them. For example, you can be there to make sure they are sitting on their sled properly. And, the older the kids become, the more daring they get. They also get more creative with using objects in ways that they weren’t designed to be used.

Take Lots Of Breaks

Most cold weather injuries are caused by having cold muscles or being worn out and not compensating for it. Children aren’t really good at doing this. So, as a parent, that’s your job. You need to make sure your kids are taking breaks before they reach a state of exhaustion. Let them rehydrate, give them food, and an opportunity to get into some dry clothes. If your child is acting clumsy (more than usual), seems confused, is acting lethargic, or is shivering, get them out of the cold immediately. These are signs of hypothermia. Coming inside for a bit to warm up will help them restore their energy and will put your mind at ease.

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