Winter safety tips for playing in the snow

For those in the Northeast who just got hammered by Winter Storm Nemo, there’s a good chance your neighborhood looks like the frozen planet Hoth in Star Wars. But after a weekend cooped up indoors with the kids, you’re probably itching to get outside, stretch your legs and enjoy the snow. Just make sure to keep these post-blizzard safety tips in mind for the kids.

Watch out for traffic
The roads might seem impossible to navigate, but that’s not going to stop determined drivers. While they might be moving slow, it can be difficult for cars to maneuver with tall snowbanks blocking their vision and patches of ice and snow on the road. Because of this, your kids should always have an eye out for approaching vehicles when playing in the neighborhood.

Be aware of snow mounds
Chances are there are mountains of snow lining your street left behind by plows and driveway shovelers. While these might look like fun places to climb or build a snow fort, it’s important that kids approach these with caution. The mound could easily collapse due to added weight on top or digging out the center for a fort.

Stay off the ice
Unless it’s a public area with plenty of safety officials around, make sure your children know to stay off any frozen bodies of water. The ice might seem secure, but there’s always a danger of hitting a patch of thin ice or stepping on a cracked spot and falling in. Under no circumstances should your children attempt to walk across an icy pond or stream.