Now that Rhode Island has had its first significant snowfall of the winter and is beginning the new year, it's time to consider outdoor safety.
Although hardly a blizzard, it took nearly two weeks and ultimately a bit of a January thaw to free the ground of snow over. And the threat of slippery footing and falls after the snow were as bad as the event itself for some.
If you're a grandparent, you'll want to protect yourself and the grandchildren from winter's hazards.
Here's some tips:
Dress for the weather
You share some More than you might think with the grandchildren. You both need to dress warmly for the outdoors in winter. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that in addition to hats, gloves and boots, you dress the grandchildren in several thin layers of clothes to keep them warm and dry. They suggest that you add one more layer of clothes for babies and younger kids than you would for adults.
And don't neglect yourself. When we get older, we can loose sensitivity to the cold, opening the risk to frostbite or hypothermia. According to Ages & Stages
Healthy Living suggests care in protecting against the cold with hats and scarves and notes that you may not notice the cold as much.
And protect against falls on the ice. Use footwear with sturdy, non-slip soles, and when faced with icy surfaces, consider a slip-on studded shoe cleats or grips.
For detailed information on staying safe outdoors in winter:
One great source for information is the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Another is the CDC's Family Health site at
http://www.cdc.gov/family/
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