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Play It Safe All In spite of winter's colder temperatures, kids can stay active outdoors year-round. Here's how to help protect them as they swing, slide, sled, climb and glide their way to happy winter memories. SOME CHILDREN SEEM impervious to cold weather. Parents shiver as their little ones beg to stay outside for five more minutes or gleefully throw snowballs and make snow angels. "Children can't catch a cold or the flu from cold weather," says Pramod Narula, M.D., pediatric pulmonologist and chair of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. "I recommend that parents dress their children warmly and take them outside to play if the weather permits." One exception is when temperatures reach freezing. Dr. Narula advises that children with asthma symptoms that are triggered or worsened by cold air should play indoors if temperatures are 32°F or colder. If temperatures are above freezing but still cold, wearing a face mask or neck warmer to cover the nose and mouth may help warm the air as it is being breathed into the lungs, which can prevent asthma symptoms. Unless temperatures are extremely low, most children can safely play outdoors for up to 60 minutes at a time before they should come inside to warm up, rest and rehydrate. Frostbite becomes a concern within minutes when skin is exposed to temperatures or wind chill temperatures of -15°F or less (see "Hypothermia & Frostbite: Know the Signs" on page 17). If temperatures are above that, layered winter clothing can help protect children as they play outdoors. GET INTO GEAR Winter clothing should include an inner layer made of fabrics like wool or polypropylene that holds in body heat. A second insulated layer made of natural fibers or fleece is recommended to help trap warm air close to children's bodies. Outer clothing made of tightly woven, water- and wind-resistant fabric should cover the first two layers. In addition, waterproof hats and gloves, as well as footwear that is large enough to accommodate two pairs of socks, can help children stay dry and comfortable when playing in the snow. Using a neck warmer (instead of a scarf) and gloves with clips (instead of drawstrings) help protect children from getting their clothing caught on playground equipment or tree branches. Coats without drawstrings, as well as separate hats and coats, are preferable to coats with drawstrings or hooded coats for the same reason. Layering up keeps children warm without overheating them. If children become too hot, they can shed one layer at a time until they are comfortable. A good way to make sure children are warm enough is to check their hands and feet. If these extremities are warm and not sweaty, then the children are properly dressed. If any article of clothing gets wet, change it as soon as possible. As counterintuitive as it may seem, the sun can be a concern for children playing outdoors in the winter as they can still get a sunburn. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to keep children's skin from being exposed to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. ON THE PLAYGROUND Playground safety is top of mind for most parents at any time of the year, but there are a few extra considerations during winter. "There's an increased risk of falls during winter weather conditions," says Christen Russo, M.D., assistant attending pediatric orthopedist at NYP Brooklyn Methodist. "Don't allow children to play in playgrounds if ice has built up on the equipment or the surrounding ground." It is also wise to check underneath slides for compacted snow and ice as it can linger in this shaded area long after it melts elsewhere and create a slip hazard. Make sure that the playground surface area is still soft enough to accommodate a few tumbles in freezing weather and choose a playground where guardrails are installed on all platforms, including slides. ON SNOW Throwing snowballs, building snowmen and forts, and sledding are winter activities children look forward to when snow accumulates. While building snowmen poses little risk if WINTER WINTER 2018 W W W.N Y P.O RG / BRO OKLY N 16 K I D Z O N E 16