Snow sports: Tips for braving the cold weather

Whether your family only participates in an occasional neighborhood snowball fight or gears up to shred the mountains, it’s important to know how to stay safe in the snow and cold weather.

Snow sports

Snow sports — including sledding — are fun, but also increase your child’s chance of suffering from a traumatic head injury. Preparation and education are key for a fun and safe experience.

Never let your child play alone — always make sure a responsible adult is supervising. Teach your children to follow safety guidelines for whatever activity they’re doing.

Wear a properly fitted snow sport helmet. Make sure your helmet is rated for the activity you’re participating in. Additional protective gear also depends on your sport of choice, but can include eye protection, mouthguards, knee pads, etc.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends:

• No snowboarding for children under 7 years old.
• No riding on snowmobiles for children under 6 years old.
• No driving snowmobiles for children and teens under 16 years old.

Staying warm

Layers are your friend. Keep your child’s head, neck and hands covered with well-fitting hats, scarves and gloves or mittens. Remove scarves before sledding, as they can get pulled under a sled.

Try to dress in synthetic or wool layers that wick moisture away from the body.

Before buckling children into their car seats, remove their winter jackets. The thick padding from the jacket creates extra space between your child’s body and the harness straps, preventing a secure and snug fit.

Worried they’ll be cold? Keep a blanket in the car and drape it over your child after they’re buckled in.

Taking breaks

Even when it’s cold, you can still get dehydrated and sunburned. Drink lots of water and apply sunscreen before playing outside. Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Encourage frequent breaks and bring your children inside to warm up, eat a snack and drink water.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can quickly become deadly if inhaled. High winds and ice on power lines can cause power outages and an increased risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. If your power goes out, do not bring generators, barbecue grills or other outdoor appliances inside. Do not warm up the car if it’s parked in the garage, because that also emits carbon monoxide.

Keep a carbon monoxide alarm in your house and change the batteries every time you change your smoke detector batteries. Learn more about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning.

We’re here for you

If you do have an accident or your child gets sick, MultiCare Health System and Mary Bridge Children’s offer comprehensive emergency departments and multiple urgent care clinics, including virtual and telehealth options.