This article is designed to be a fun read with your children, so that you can work through the winter safety rules together, and help your children to learn how to stay safe outside in winter.
STAYING SAFE IN A WINTER WONDERLAND!
As it starts to get colder outside, the frost covers the ground and everywhere can turn into a snow covered playground. This time of year there are lots of opportunities for fun and games outside, whether you want to go sledging, build a snowman or have a snowball fight.
But as we are having fun outside, we also need to remember to stay safe, and know how to have fun without getting hurt.
Here are 5 rules to help you and your friends stay safe this winter.
1. WRAP UP WARM
Always make sure that you wrap up warm with plenty of layers before going to play outside in the cold. A warm jumper and a coat will help to protect you from getting too cold. If you are playing in the snow make sure that you also wear gloves so that your hands don’t hurt from being too cold.
2. MAKE SURE THAT YOU TELL AN ADULT WHERE YOU ARE GOING
It can be fun to run and play in the snow, but before you go off exploring too far, make sure that you tell an adult where you are going.
3. DON’T STAY OUTSIDE FOR TOO LONG
Although it is fun to be outside playing in the snow, make sure that you come back inside regularly to warm up. Playing in the snow can make you really cold so your fingers and toes start to hurt. A nice warm drink inside will heat you up. then when you are feeling warm again you can go back outside and play.
4. MAKING A SPLASH
Splashing in puddles can be fun if you are wearing your wellington boots and are wrapped up warm. But you always need to make sure you check how deep the puddle is before you jump in. Sometimes a puddle might look shallow, but it actually could be much deeper than you think. To test how deep the puddle is, try poking a stick into the puddle first to see how deep it goes. If you are unsure if it is safe, always ask an adult.
5. FROZEN LAKES & RIVERS
Although frozen lakes and rivers might look like fun to slide on, actually they can be really dangerous. The ice might look thick, but it is normally very thin and can break easily, which could mean that you fall into the ice cold water. If you do fall into any frozen water, make sure that stick to these 3 rules:
- Keep your chin up and away from the water until you can control your breathing, you can do this by lying on your back, floating in a star shape or gently paddling to stay at the water’s surface.
- Before your muscles start to cool, swim towards an exit or towards something to keep your buoyancy whilst you call for help.
- Once out of the water, gently warm yourself up by changing closes or wrapping up warm. This will help to avoid hypothermia.
Once you know the rules, you are all set for a brilliant winter adventure!
Want to Learn more?
Follow the link below, where you can find more facts about the water in winter.
Share Winter Water Safety | Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )
