• During the cold winter months it's important to take safety measures.kid on snow image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
  
  Winter is the time of year when kids are ready to go outside, throw snow balls and ride sleds. Regardless of your winter activities, it is important to follow winter safety tips to keep your children safe while enduring the elements. Many times people think of the cold temperatures as the only danger, but there are other things to consider while ensuring your children's safety.
  
  

Wind Chill

• The wind chill factor is as important as the temperatures.Frozen in the Wind image by Tony Walker from Fotolia.com
  
  Deciding if it's even safe enough for your children to go outside is the number one thing to consider before following any other tips. Wind makes it feel much colder outside then the actual temperature. Knowing the correct temperatures and how to properly dress your children during certain weather is very important. For example, 30 degrees and warmer is considered safe for kids to play outside, while temperatures in the 20s require additional precautions such as taking indoor breaks more often. Anything colder than 20 degrees is considered unsafe, and children should stay inside.
  
  

Layering Clothing

• It's important to properly dress kids during winter playtime.snow fun image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the best ways to stay warm is wearing multiple layers of clothes. If you are too warm, you simply remove a layer. If you are caught without the extra layers, though, and are too cold, you don't have any other options. Layers also provide your children protection against becoming wet. If a layer of clothing gets wet, they simply can remove it. It's very important that your children's clothing fit properly. Clothing that is too tight can constrict blood flow making your children cold.
  
  

Winter Sports

• Make sure kids have proper protective gear while playing winter sports.Pink Hockey Stick image by Art St.Cyr from Fotolia.com
  
  Under adult supervision, winter sports can be fun and safe for children. Ice skating is enjoyable, but if the ice is not fully frozen or has not passed proper inspections, can be dangerous. Sledding down unknown paths, close to roads, near ponds or in crowded areas also can lead to serious accidents. When your child is taking part in winter sports it's important that you make sure your child has all the protective gear they need, including elbow pads, knee and shin guards, helmets, water repellent clothing and anything else for a specific sport.
  
  

Frostbite

• It's important to know the signs of frostbite.boy throw snow image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
  
  If your child starts to complain about any numbness, aching or burning, it's time to head inside and administer basic first aid. Treating frost bite includes soaking any frostbitten areas in warm water until healthy pink coloring returns to the area. Never rub an area you feel could have frostbite. If the area is black or has blisters, you need to seek medical attention immediately.