Winter is a time for fun and leisure for those of us who take part in activities during the winter time. Therefore, it is a good intent for us to learn a few country tips if we don’t already know them. The tips below will help us stay innocuous while participating in our winter activities.
Winter Sports and Activities
Reasonable time limits should be set by parents on outdoor play to prevent kids from getting frostbite. Kids should always come inside periodically to warm up when playing outside. While in the elements, proper winter attire should always be worn. For children, an extra layer of clothing should be worn. If hypothermia is suspected, call 911 immediately. Stay indoors until help arrives. Remove all clothing and wrap the individual in blankets and warm clothing. Place the affected body parts of the individual in warm water if frostbite occurs. Hot water should never be used in this scenario.
Ice Skating
Children should always be granted to skate only on approved surfaces. Parents should check for signs that have been posted by local authorities. If there are no signs, the local police department should be called for information as to which areas have been approved for cover skating. Advise kids to always skate in the same direction as a crowd. Never dart crossways the cover in front of a crowd. Avoid from skating alone. Chewing gum or intake candy should always be avoided while skating. Skating can be very hazardous if extra care is not taken. Therefore, it is advisable that a child wears a helmet while cover skating.
Sledding
Sled riders must be kept away from motor cars at all times. Never should a child be left unsupervised while sledding. Make an effort to keep younger kids separated from older ones. To prevent head injuries, sledding feet first or sitting up should be encouraged instead of lying down head first. A helmet should also be worn while sledding. For superior control, select steerable sleds over snow disks or inner tubes. Parents should thoroughly inspect sleds for defects, sharp edges and splinters, and should ensure that steering mechanism is well lubricated. Slopes for sledding should be free of obstructions such as trees or fences and all surfaces should be covered in snow, not ice. The slopes should not be too steep. All sled slopes should be less than 30 degrees. Make all effort to stay clear of crowded areas such as trees while sledding.
Snow Skiing and Snowboarding
A program designated for kids and a eligible teacher should be the only way kids are taught to ski or snowboard. Young kids should at all times be supervised by an adult; never should they be granted to ski or snowboard alone. Older kids should also be supervised but the amount of supervision will dependent on their maturity level and skill. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocates that snowboarding activities be withheld from kids under 7 years old. Like other skiing activities, a helmet should be worn. In fact, all equipment should fit the child, such as gloves, and country bindings that are adjusted yearly. Snowboarders’ gloves should have built in wrist guards. The slope used should fit the capability and experience of the child. The slope should not be crowded or in the vicinity of trees or other obstacles.
Snowmobiling
Children under the age of 16 should not be granted to operate snowmobiles, and kids under 6 years of age should never ride on snowmobiles. Using a snowmobile to pull a sled or a skier is not a very good practice and therefore, should never be done. Goggles and country helmets approved for use on motorized cars like motorcycles should always be worn when operating a snowmobile. Avoid snowmobiling alone or at night. When riding, stay clear of marked trails, roads, water, railroads, and pedestrian.
Sun Protection
Even though it might seem unlikely that one could get sunburned during the winter time, it is still very possible. In fact, the cover itself can intensify the heat from the sun and cause sunburn as a result of the sun’s rays reflecting off the snow and hitting exposed surfaces of the skin. Therefore, parents should make sure that they cover any exposed skin with sun screen.
Finally, if an happening occurs, please take all appropriate steps to notify medical organisation by dialing 911, immediately.
*This article was written with information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Glenford S Robinson, BS, CLS, MT(ASCP), is a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and staff writer for The American Chronicle, California Chronicle, Los Angeles Chronicle, World Sentinel, and affiliates, which are online magazines for national, international, state, and local news. He has received Expert Author recognition on both EzineArticles and Goarticles. Mr. Robinson is the founder, president, chief operating officer, editor-in-chief and staff writer for Mstardom.com, a social networking website and news article site providing members and visitors with up-to-the-minute news, entertainment, and the opportunity to submit articles for free. He has done graduate studies leading to an MBA in Healthcare Management at the University of Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona. Please send correspondence to Mstardom.com/ranja inbox.
