December 10, 2020

15 Simple Winter Safety Tips for Kids

How to keep kids warm, healthy and safe

little boy taking a cookie break from snowboarding

Winter can bring lots of family fun — whether this involves sledding and romping around in the snow or just hanging around together at home.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Here are a few ideas from pediatrician Raj Rambhatla, MD, to help keep your kids warm, healthy and safe during winter.

How to dress your kids (not like little adults)

Parents with babies and younger kids should:

1. Adjust winter clothes for children’s needs. Dress babies and young children in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.

2. Keep exposure to the cold at a minimum. Babies and young children don’t have the same tolerance for cold that adults do. It’s important to limit time outside.

3. Don’t forget winter accessories. Remember warm boots, gloves or mittens and a hat, which make a big difference in keeping young children and babies comfortable.

Simple ways to avoid winter colds

It’s a common myth that cold weather causes colds, but it does not. Colds are caused mainly by viruses that we are more commonly exposed to in the winter.

Viruses are spread even more easily when children are in school and in close contact with each other, typically through respiratory droplets in the air and on hands.

Prevent colds and the flu by getting kids to:

Advertisement

4. Use soap and water. Washing their hands frequently will reduce the spread of germs.

5. Cover their mouth. Sneezing or coughing into the bend of their elbows also helps prevent spreading germs.

6. Get immunized. Keep vaccinations current, including the flu shot (for children 6 months and older).

Be safe on sleds and snow tubes

7. Always supervise children. Injuries can occur quickly when kids are sledding or snow tubing. It’s important to keep a close eye on them.

8. Keep away from motor vehicles. Often, sledding hills are not far from highways or roads. It’s important to keep a safe distance.

9. Sled in proper ‘form.’ Kids can prevent injuries by sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first.

10. Find a clear area. Pick a sledding location that is clear of obstructions like trees or fences and is covered in snow.

11. Choose a good sledding hill. A sledding hill should not be too steep, with a slope of less than 30 degrees, and should end with a flat runoff.

Advertisement

Be safe on skis and snow boards

12. Dress in layers. If you begin to sweat, remove layers as needed to stay dry. Wet clothes can cause your body to chill and can lead to hypothermia or frostbite.

13. Wear a helmet. It’s important to protect your head from injury.

14. Protect skin. Keep your skin from being exposed to harsh temperatures to avoid frostbite. Be especially careful with small areas of your body, such as your hands, feet and ears.

15. Be aware of weather conditions. Consider going inside if the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17.8 degrees Celcius).

Be aware of frostbite symptoms. If you notice your child skin turning red or becoming numb, move to a warmer location and protect them from further exposure. Use warm water or blankets to raise their body temperature.

In winter, there are lots of options for fun. Enjoy the snow and stay safe.

Related Articles

Person shoveling snow
March 14, 2024
Shoveling Snow? Tips To Prevent Back Injury or Pain

Stretch before heading outside, keep proper form and avoid jerking or twisting to throw snow

person examining flaky skin on face
March 7, 2024
Do You Have a Winter Rash? Here’s How To Treat and Prevent It

A distressed skin barrier can lead to red, itchy and scaly skin

two kids eating snow outside
March 6, 2024
Is It Safe To Eat Snow?

If the flakes are undisturbed, pristine white and come from the top layer, it’s typically safe to indulge in a scoop

Teacup of tea and plate of toast
February 2, 2024
What To Eat, Drink and Avoid When You Have the Stomach Flu

Start slowly with clear fluids, and then move to bland, easy-to-digest foods

female on couch, holding mug, under blanket, blowing nose, cat on couch
January 22, 2024
Why Are My Allergies Acting Up in Winter?

Indoor allergens know no season!

Sick person on couch using tissue on nose with medication bottles on coffee table
January 19, 2024
How To Know if It’s COVID-19, a Cold or Allergies

Symptoms can overlap and be hard to distinguish, but there are some telltale differences

Close-up of hands in lab gloves sorting vials and covid-19 blood sample
January 17, 2024
Everything You Need To Know About COVID-19 Variants

Just like the flu, COVID-19 will continue to evolve every year

Adult female on couch, coughing into crook of arm, holding thermometer
January 15, 2024
Prepping for Flurona: When COVID-19 and the Flu Strike at the Same Time

It’s best to treat flu-like symptoms as if you have COVID-19

Trending Topics

White bowls full of pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate and various kinds of nuts
25 Magnesium-Rich Foods You Should Be Eating

A healthy diet can easily meet your body’s important demands for magnesium

Woman feeling for heart rate in neck on run outside, smartwatch and earbuds
Heart Rate Zones Explained

A super high heart rate means you’re burning more than fat

Spoonful of farro salad with tomato
What To Eat If You’ve Been Diagnosed With Prediabetes

Type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable with these dietary changes

Ad