Article Conversation “Safe behavior on the street.” Author: Kozhevnikova Olga Aleksandrovna

Walking in winter: what you need to know

A safe winter walk begins at the door of your home. Prepare for going outside with your children in advance:

• feed your child a nutritious meal - much more energy is spent in the cold than in the warmth;
• make sure that the child is fully dressed (fastened the zippers, put on a hat and mittens) before going out the door;
• explain that during games you should not push other children too much, especially those who are younger and weaker;
• Warn your child about the danger of jumping into a snowdrift, where anything can be hidden: fragments, debris, sharp stones.

Advice to parents. Teach children to fall correctly: on their side, bending their knees and trying to soften the fall with their hands. Tell them that falling on your back or forward on your hands can lead to serious injury.

How long to walk with a child in winter

Table-memo for parents about the duration of a winter walk with a child at an air temperature of at least -15° C:

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It would be reasonable to shorten the walking time if the temperature outside drops below -15° C. It is better to divide the total walking time with a child under 4 years old into 2-3 separate trips outside, for example, in the morning, afternoon and evening. For children with a cold, it is better to refrain from walking during the height of the illness and reduce the time they spend outside when the child is already on the mend.

To what temperature do they walk with children in winter?

Pediatricians recommend walking with babies under 6 months at an air temperature of at least -6° C. With older children, 6-12 months, you can go outside if the thermometer shows -10° C. With a child over a year old, long walks are acceptable - longer than 1 hours - walks at an air temperature of at least -15° C, if the baby walks well and moves actively on the street. Active children over 5 years old can walk even at -20° C, if it is sunny and windless outside.

Advice to parents. When setting the minimum permissible air temperature for a walk with a child, take into account the characteristics of your region. Children will tolerate even a fairly low temperature with low humidity more easily than a higher temperature, but also with high humidity.

The right clothes

What you need to know when dressing your children for a winter walk:

1. Do not dress your child too warmly “just in case” - overheating is no better than hypothermia. Put on your son or daughter the same number of layers of clothing as you would put on yourself, or one layer more if you are going for a walk with a baby under one year old.
2. Choose loose clothing that does not restrict movement.
3. Make sure that the first layer of clothing your child wears is made of synthetics or wool. Cotton gets wet quickly on a sweaty body and dries very slowly.
4. Make sure your child wears shoes that fit properly—tight shoes can put your feet at risk of frostbite.
5. In winter, it is recommended to wear mittens on your hands - they retain heat better than gloves. If the child is small, sew an elastic band to the mittens so that the baby does not accidentally lose them.

Frostbite and injuries: first aid for a child

Parents often think that only careless adults can deal with frostbite and injuries. This is not true: doctors note that every winter children from wealthy families who were not careful enough during walks arrive with various injuries and symptoms of frostbite. Learn to provide first aid for frostbite and injuries - and if necessary, you will be able to help your child in an emergency without panicking.

Content:

• General winter safety rules: a reminder for parents and children Rules of behavior on the street and on the road
• Winter on the pond
• Ice and icicles

First aid for injuries

If a child falls and hits himself, the first thing to do is take him to a quiet place and ask him where and how it hurts. If you feel well and have normal movement of the limbs, a bruise is possible, which is treated with rest for the first two days, and then with warming. In any case, monitor your child’s condition: if your health worsens, consult a doctor.

Don't hesitate to call an ambulance if:

• the child hurt his head;
• you suspect that the child may have a dislocation, sprain or fracture;
• The child complains of abdominal pain.

Do not undress the child and do not apply a splint to avoid frostbite in addition to injury. The exception is severe bleeding, which must be stopped with a tight bandage while waiting for the doctor.

Signs of frostbite and first aid

Frostbite, contrary to popular belief, occurs not only in the cold, but also when the air temperature is near zero, if there is a strong wind outside.

Signs of frostbite:

• the affected area of ​​the body loses sensitivity;
• the skin turns red and there is a tingling sensation;
• If measures are not taken in time, blisters appear.

If you notice signs of frostbite in a child, immediately take him indoors. Place the affected part of the body in warm water, then rub the skin to restore sensitivity.