1/17/2008

Stay Warm, Stay Safe

Cold and snow. It's the kind of scenario that raises the hopes of kids everywhere.

According to experts at the Carnegie Mellon Children's School and the national SAFE KIDS campaign, parents need to be vigilant, particularly when temperatures dip into the single digits, as forecast for this weekend. If a child complains of numbness or pain in the fingers, toes, cheeks or ears, or their skin is blistered and hard to the touch, they may be suffering from frostbite. Walking safely is also important — slippery driveways and sidewalks can be particularly hazardous in winter.

If children are skiing, sledding or ice skating, parents are urged to inspect equipment and an activity's location for possible hazards. In addition to providing common sense tips for parents, the Children's School maintains an active research program about kids and how they learn and interact.

Teresa Thomas