Cold Weather Warnings

Santana Sanftenberg BASc, CPHI (C)

Winter in northern Ontario brings with it colder temperatures and inclement weather conditions. Exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious and sometimes even life-threatening health problems, such as frostbite and hypothermia. Before the start of colder weather, it is strongly urged child care centres develop an extreme weather policy for outdoor play to ensuring children’s safety and well-being. 

Extreme weather advisories are issued to warn residents about weather conditions that may impact health. Extreme cold is measured differently in different parts of the country. In our area, Environment Canada issues an extreme cold warning when the temperature or windchill is expected to reach minus 40 °C for at least two hours (Environment Canada). As the risk of health effects like windburn and frostbite increase at windchill values below -27 °C the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends keeping children indoors if the temperature falls below -25° C, or if the wind chill is -28° C or lower (Well Beings, 2008).  

As children are more susceptible to cold it is important for child care centres to establish and follow policies for safe outdoor cold weather play. Some tips include:

• Ensure that children are dressed warmly and wearing appropriate clothing making sure to cover any exposed skin.
• Wear a gloves or mitts, hats and neck warmers to prevent heat loss and protect ears and fingers from frostbite.
• Dress in layers of clothing with a wind resistant outer layer.
• Provide warm, waterproof winter boots roomy enough for an extra pair of socks and toes to wiggle comfortably.
• Change wet clothing and footwear immediately as the wet clothing chills the body rapidly and encourages other cold weather injuries.
• Educate children in dealing with cold weather:
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Stay warm
• Recognize signs of injury caused by cold
• Staff should be able to recognize and treat symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. When children are playing outside it is important to observe for the following:
• Shivering
• Discoloration of skin
• Complaining of pain, numbness, burning or fatigue, confusion, slurring of speech
• Stiffness

“Remember! Young children have less muscle mass, generate less body heat, and get cold more quickly than adults. Check often that children are staying warm and dry while playing outside in the winter, [to prevent dehydration], offer a warm drink when they come in from the cold” (Well Beings, 2008:81).