It's Cold Outside!

Wow! Winter is fast approaching. People appear outside clothed in many layers, while inside fireplaces are stirring. Here is a winter poem to warm you heart:

Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.
Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness, By the cold candle, bathe and dress.
Close by the jolly fire I sit to warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.
When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.
Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding cake.
We, Neko and teko like the frosted like a wedding cake part. And Now... we will share some snow- safety tips:
Winter is a great season for outdoor activities, such as sledding and skating. Cold weather, ice, and snow can be both fun and dangerous for children. The following tips will help parents and children enjoy winter activities safely.
In general
Children shouldn’t play outside alone. Establish a buddy system with one or more friends and have them look out for one another. Children younger than 8 years of age should always be well supervised outside. Check every so often on older children who are playing outdoors for a long time.
Check often to see that your child is warm and dry. Younger children should take regular breaks and come inside for a warm drink.
Never send children outside in extreme weather conditions such as snowstorms.
Keep children indoors if the temperature falls below –25°C (-13°F) regardless of the wind chill or if the wind chill is –28°C (-15°F) or lower regardless of the temperature.
Help children choose play areas with a warm shelter nearby such as near home or a friend’s home.
Apply sunscreen to exposed skin, even when it’s cloudy.
Clothing
If your child’s feet and hands are warm, what they are wearing is usually good. If your child is dressed too warm, she could sweat and feel colder when she stops playing.
Dress your child in layers of clothing that can be put on and taken off easily.
Wear a hat because a lot of body heat is lost through the head.
Keep ears covered at all times to prevent frostbite.
Wear mittens instead of gloves so that fingers can be bunched together for warmth.
Wear warm, waterproof boots that are roomy enough for an extra pair of socks and to wiggle toes around.
Remove drawstrings from clothing that could catch on climbing or other play equipment. Use velcro or other snaps instead.
Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf and mitten clips instead of a strings to prevent choking.
After play, remove wet clothing and boots immediately.
Winter play
Active games, making snow angels and building snowmen will help to keep your child warm. Teach your children a few important rules to go along with winter play.
Stay away from snowplows and snow blowers. Choose play areas away from roads, fences and water.
Take extra caution when crossing roads because it might be hard for drivers to see children playing if they have snowy or frosty windows.
No snowball fights. They can cause an injury. Snowballs are most dangerous if the snow is hard-packed or icy.
Don’t build snow forts or make tunnels. They can collapse and suffocate a child.
Don’t play on roadside snow banks. The driver of a snowplow or other vehicle may not see a child.
Don’t put metal objects in your mouth. Lips and tongues can freeze to the metal and cause an injury.
Don’t eat snow, which can be dirty.
Tobagganing/Sledding
Children under 5 should never go down a hill alone.
Always wear a ski or hockey helmet – not a bicycle helmet – while sledding. Bicycle helmets are only tested up to -10ºC (14ºF) and need to be replaced after one crash. If you use a hockey helmet, make sure it meets the Canadian Standards Association standards.
Never use a sled with sharp or jagged edges. Handholds should be secure.
Use a sled you can steer rather than a snow disk or inner tube. It will provide better control.
Always sit up or kneel on a sled. Lying down can increase the risk of injury to the head, spine and stomach.
Never sled on or near roadways. Look for shallow slopes that are free of trees, fences or any other obstacles.
Avoid sledding on crowded slopes.
Sled during the day. If you sled at night, make sure the hill is well lit.
Slide down the middle of the hill and climb up along the sides. Remember to watch for other sledders and move quickly out of the way once at the bottom of the hill.
Skating
Always wear a hockey or ski helmet while skating.
Skates should be comfortable, with good ankle support, to avoid twists, sprains or breaks.
Whenever possible, skate on public indoor or outdoor rinks. Teach your child to:
Obey all signs posted on or near the ice. Yellow signs usually mean skate with caution, and red usually means no skating allowed.
Always supervise children on the ice.
Never assume it’s safe to skate on a lake or pond. An adult should make sure the ice is at least 10 cm (4”) thick for skating alone or 20 cm (8”) for group skating. Check with local weather authorities for information about ice thickness.
Do not walk on ice near moving water. Ice formed on moving water, such as rivers and creeks, may not be thick enough to be safe.
Skiing/snowboarding
With lessons from a certified instructor, it's okay for younger children to ski or snowboard. However, a child’s coordination is not fully developed until age 10 years.
Now, here are different types of hot chocolate to try with your parents permission:
-Mint Hot chocolate
- Regular
-extra chocolaty
-brown sugar hot cocoa
-candy cane hot cocoa
-and many more!
In comments on this post, write to us about your favourite hot chocolate!
This is Neko and Teko reporting from being sick and having a lot of homework!