Happy New Year!

The weather outside is still frightful...

Winter Play...

Although it's cold outside, children should do more than sit indoors watching television or playing video games.  Make time in your already crazy schedule to do fun activities with  them.  Play board games. Read to them and with them.

Winter Dress...

When you take children outside, remember to dress them warmly and in layers (one layer more than you would put on yourself is a good rule of thumb).  Choose clothing that will keep them warm AND dry (wicking fabric), and don't forget those hats!  Include sun screen as part of the wardrobe as the winter sun can cause sunburn, especially when reflected on snow.

Dress Safely

While safety brings to mind visions of helmets and padded gear, you should also think about the safety of the warm clothing.  For example, that long scarf may be cute, but it can get caught on a moving sled, quickly becoming dangerous.  Also, if a hat is too big, it can obstruct vision and cause an accident.

Gear Safety

Have outdoor gear checked before using.  Check the sleds, boards, and skis for any cracks that may have occurred while in storage.  Always make sure that the equipment fits properly to avoid injuries--an older sibling's ice skates that are too big can be unstable and cause ankle sprain/strain or cause falls, leading to other injuries.

Winter Health

Germs--like children--like to share, so continue to wash hands often to help avoid spreading germs.

Even with February's having an extra day this year, Spring is just around the corner! Until then, stay warm; stay healthy; and enjoy the rest of Winter.