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Washington winters can get pretty cold, so it’s important for parents to make sure their children are prepared and enjoy outdoor activities safely.

The first step is to make sure that children have a snack before they go out to play. This will give their bodies some calories to burn and they will stay a little warmer. Sunscreen is suggested to protect faces from the reflection of the sun off of the snow. The next step is to layer their outdoor gear. Try to avoid cotton fabrics because they are not very warm. Begin the layering process with long underwear, turtleneck, sweater, snow pants and a coat. Add more layers as necessary. If children get wet or hot they can always take off the top layer. Waterproof pants and jackets are the most efficient way to keep water away from the other layers. Be sure to add warm socks, boots, mittens, a scarf and a hat to avoid frostbite.

While paying outside, dehydration should also be a concern of a parent. Drinking warm, non-caffeinated liquids is the simple solution to this problem.

Wind Chill Factor-

The Centers for Disease Control put this Wind Chill Factor chart on their website. Wind can quickly carry heat away from the body decreasing body temperature. It becomes easier to get frostbite. Wind can make normal temperatures much more dangerous for children and the amount of time spent outside should be reduced accordingly.