Keep Children Safe

Keep children safe, busy and having fun while in and out of school. This is a priority for all parents. As the holiday break approaches, it’s important to be aware of potential hazards and risks associated with holiday and winter activities.

Holiday Events

Many businesses and organizations have holiday events like making decorations, gift exchanges, and holiday parties. There are also many community events, such as public markets and craft fairs. Keep children safe. Be sure to confirm plans with your family of when and where to meet up if you divide the group in a public area. Remind kids to never leave with a stranger.

Be aware of potentially harmful situations, such as dangerous decorations, unstable rides or attractions, slippery walkways, and ice hanging over building entrances. Many young children enjoy climbing onto things, even when told not to. Keep children safe. Warn children of the danger for severe injuries from falls or from objects falling onto them. While most places take care of their sidewalks and entryways, it’s good to show children to be aware of where they are walking and to be cautious of icy conditions.

Keep Children Safe During Outdoor Activities

Winter break is the perfect opportunity for kids to spend time outdoors with friends. Snowball fights, building snowmen and forts, making snow angels, and winter sports are all waiting outside. Keep children safe. Before they run out the door, ensure they’re wearing appropriate clothing and gear. Wearing properly fitting boots, coats, snow-pants, gloves, and hats keep children warm and dry while enjoying the snow.

Also, know your kids’ plan before they leave. Make sure you know who they’re with, what they’re doing, where they’re going, and when they’ll be home.

When participating in winter sports, be sure your child is equipped with protective gear. Keep children safe. Remind your child to always wear a helmet when snowboarding and downhill skiing. Bring children indoors to regularly warm-up after playing outside in the winter to avoid sickness and cold related injuries.

Monitor Temperatures

Children are some of the most at-risk individuals during winter. They love being outside, but with outdoor activities comes danger. While parents generally put their children’s needs first, that is not always the case when children are with others. For instance, at school children should be monitored to ensure they do not get hurt.

In winter, it is even more important to watch children, since temperatures can drop dramatically resulting in hypothermia or frostbite. Keep children safe. It is always a good idea to keep your children in warm areas or near warm areas when they’re playing.

Keep Children Safe From Snowplow Dangers

Another risk to children in the winter is use of snowplows. Alaska’s snowplow operators work hard to make the roads you travel on as safe as possible. Make sure children understand the dangers of snow plows and how to play more safely.

Remind your child to stay away from the roads on days when they are home from school. Keep children safe by ensuring they dress in bright colors and reflective gear to help drivers see them. If they play in the roadways or in snow berms, it’s possible they could be hit by a snowplow.

From all of us at Johnson & Associates, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Johnson & Associates has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Secondary Source: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; Mayo Clinic Health System

Image Source: Pack More Into Life