Winter is a fun time of year for outdoor play. Here's how to stay safe while you enjoy the ice and snow.
When you're outside in the cold and breathing hard, you lose a lot of your body's water through your breath. Drink plenty of liquids to make up for the water you lose. Warm drinks and soups are the perfect choice. They keep you hydrated and warm up your insides.
It’s time to go inside and warm up if:
Look out for your friends and siblings too. If someone shows signs of being too cold, go inside together. By the time you have a warm drink, eat a snack, and play a game or watch a show, you’ll be ready to head back outside for more fun.
Sometimes, when kids play out in the cold for a while, they might realize they can't feel their fingers, toes, cheeks, ears, or nose. When these body parts get numb, tingly, or red, it’s called frost nip. It's a warning that frostbite is coming, and it’s time to take a break indoors to warm up.
Frostbite is when skin gets very cold and freezes. Sensitive or exposed parts of the body, like the face, ears, fingers, or toes can get frostbitten most easily. If a kid gets frostbite, their skin feels hard and numb, and looks pale. If you think even for a second that you might have frostbite, go indoors and tell an adult right away.
Here are some tips to help you avoid frostbite:
Keeping safe in the winter is easy to do, now that you know how. Enjoy your snow day!
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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