Winter Safety Concerns for Families with Children

Winter is a crazy time of year. Cold, illness, snow, and holidays all collide in a spectacular manner. Keeping track of the kids can be tough. However, its even more important that you keep the kids in mind during the winter with all the extra safety hazards out there.

Playing Outside Safely

Playing outside during winter can be fun, but it also brings unique safety challenges. Make sure that it is safe for your child to play outside. Teach them to not run across concrete or other hard surfaces that may be covered in ice. If you’re lucky enough to have snow on a nearby hill, teach them how to safely sled. Show them how to roll off the sled so that they can stop in the event of an impending collision. Make sure that there are no bushes or trees in the way of their sledding that could cause accidents. Teach them the importance of dressing warm so that they don’t get frostbite or catch a cold.

Heating Appliances

Very few people enjoy being cold. Heating appliances can be great for making the interior of your house cozy and warm, but they can also pose a danger to children or animals. Some heating appliances may have their heating elements exposed. If a child touches these, they may get burned. If a child knocks over a heating appliance or leaves an article of clothing to close, it could result in a fire hazard. Knowing how to operate electric fireplaces and space heaters safely is essential, especially if you have young children or pets at home. They should never be operated within reach of a child without an adult present. They should not be placed near flammable materials. If they circulate air, make sure the intake and outlet are unobstructed.

Decorations

Regardless of your religion and/or culture, you most likely have something that you enjoy celebrating during the winter months. These celebrations often involve decorating your home in a special festive manner. Your winter decorations can also pose a safety concern if you are not careful. Ornaments and other glass decorations can easily be broken by a child and leave cuts. Streamers and other hanging items can be fun for children to tangle around themselves which can lead to choking. If you have small decorations, keep them out of reach of any children that may want to place them in their mouths.

Hopefully these safety reminders don’t add stress to your holidays. They are intended to help you plan and avoid unfortunate circumstances. If you implement them, you should have the peace of mind that your child will be safer than they otherwise would be.

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