Here in Central Oregon, winter is a long-awaited season for the bountiful activities and sports it provides. From building a snowman or fort, to sledding and skiing, we want to make sure that your child participates in happy and safe practices this season.
- Playing Outside
- Always make sure your child is taking regular breaks to come inside, warm up and change wet clothing.
- Play nearby the home so that warmth and safety are always close to play areas.
- Do not let children play outside in temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Never let children play alone outside. Especially under the age of 8, children must be supervised at all times.
- Wearing the Right Winter Clothing
- Always wear a hat, as heat is released through our heads.
- Make sure gloves and mittens fit properly and are always worn to prevent frostbite.
- Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf on young children to eliminate a choking hazard.
- Dress infants in warm sleep clothing rather than filling their cribs with bedding and blankets, as that can contribute to suffocation and death.
- Wear a helmet when participating in any winter activity such as sledding, snowboarding, skiing, or snowmobiling. Helmets should have side vents so that children can still hear.
- Winter Activities
- Make sure an adult is always there to supervise when children are making forts or tunnels in the snow. These can collapse and suffocate children.
- Only ice skate on designated surfaces. Never allow play on frozen lakes, rivers or streams.
- Use a sled that has steering capabilities. Disks or tubes can become out of control and promote accidents and injuries between your child and others.
- Skis and snowboard equipment should be checked each year before the season by a technician to make sure all bindings are in the right condition. Equipment should be regularly adjusted to fit your growing child.
- Never let a child under the age of eight on a snowmobile.
