Viva Vitality: Winter Wonderland – Tips for staying safe outside

By Kiana Farrell on February 2, 2024.

With winter comes many fun outdoor activities such as building snowmen, skating, snowboarding, skiing, and more. All outdoor winter activities typically come with some risk, but many of the dangers can be limited with taking the proper safety precautions. Even though some activities are safer than others, it is essential to dress according to the weather.

Below are a few tips to ensure that you and your child stay warm this winter season:

1. Have children remain indoors if the temperatures or windchill are lower than -25C.

2. To help prevent frostbite ensure clothing is warm and dry.

3. Appropriate clothing can include, hats and clothes made of tight fibres, thick socks made of wool, tube-shaped neck warmers (scarves put individuals at risk for strangulation), appropriate boots, and a winter jacket.

4. Ensure jackets, sweaters, and hoods do not have strings, as these can pose a risk for children.

5. Wear a few light layers rather that one heavy layer. Use a loose layer next to skin, a warm middle layer and a water-resistant outer layer.

Along with making sure to stay warm it is important to focus on ice safety. Even though lakes, ponds, and rivers may seem like they are completely frozen over, that is not always true. To ensure your safety, it is recommended to stay away from the frozen water source.

Ice tends to present itself in different colours to show how strong it is, with blue being the strongest. White opaque/snow ice isn’t as strong as blue, and grey ice is very unsafe as it shows that there is water present. If there are winter activities on the ice that you would like to take part in, ensure the ice is an appropriate thickness: 15 cm for walking and skating alone, 20 cm for skating parties or games, and 25 cm for snowmobiling.

The ice colour and thickness should be considered for natural bodies of water. If it does not meet the standards and is not a natural body of water it is recommended to stay off it, as it can be dangerous.

By taking all the previously stated tips surrounding proper winter attire and ice safety into consideration it can help minimize the chances of injury and/or frost bite. Don’t let the cold ruin your winter fun. Bundle up and stay safe!

For more information visit parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/winter-outdoor-safety/

Kiana Farrell is a practicum student with the Alberta Health Services South Zone Population and Public Health team.