School nurses are the health care expert in the school setting who can provide helpful parent tips to keep students healthy and ready to learn.
Cold Weather Fun
This article, written by Patti Root, RN, from Skyline Middle School in the Red Clay Consolidated School District, appears in the Mom's Magazine-The News Journal-February 2010-School Nurse. Delaware School Nurses contribute to the monthly School Nurse column in the The News Journal.
Cold weather often invokes ‘couch potato' activity choices, but winter weather can offer many outside seasonal pleasures as well. However, there are some things you need to prepare for before venturing out into the cold.
Think safety first. Wear layers of clothing when you venture outdoors into the chill of winter – turtleneck, sweater or vest, and coat. Wear a hat and use mittens if possible (they are warmer than gloves). Snow pants offer great protection from the cold. And, of course, do not forget socks and proper footwear. Pay attention to your body's signals. When your feet, hands, or exposed body parts feel cold or uncomfortable, go inside, get warmed up, and change into dry clothes before venturing out again. It is the best way to ensure that you will stay healthy, safe, and avoid frostbite.
If sledding is your sport, choose your hill carefully. Avoid areas that are too steep or have obstructions like rocks or trees and do not have a road or body of water at the bottom. The best sleds are those that you can steer; the safest way to ride is sitting up (there is less risk of head injury this way).
For ice skaters, manmade rinks are the best choice because the surface is smooth and there is no danger of falling into frigid waters. If you do want to skate on a pond or a lake, be sure the ice is at least 4 to 6 inches thick with no holes or soft spots.
How about snowboarding or skiing? If you are new to a sport, it is a good idea to take lessons. An experienced instructor can give you advice on choosing and fitting your equipment and accessories, and can also explain techniques to help you avoid or reduce your risk of injuries.
If you snowmobile, you should wear several layers of clothing, a helmet, and glasses or goggles. Be especially cautious when crossing roads. It is best to avoid frozen lakes and rivers because drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities.
Helping your parents, grandparents, or older neighbors clear their snowy sidewalks provides a good workout. For most teens, shoveling snow is not a problem, since they are usually in better physical condition than adults. To avoid shoulder and back injuries, remember to bend your knees as you lift and throw the snow in the direction you are facing.
So remember there are numerous, fun, cold weather activities to help beat the winter woes, but use your head and do them safely.
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