Urgent: Dress Children for Winter Weather, Experts Warn Now

UPDATE: As winter descends on Eastern Ontario, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, CEO and Medical Officer of Health, is urging parents to dress their children appropriately for the cold. With the region’s first snow blanket now visible, the advice comes at a critical time as families prepare for winter activities.

In an interview on CTV Your Morning Ottawa earlier today, Dr. Paul emphasized the importance of monitoring weather conditions. “Be aware of the temperature, and of course, dress the kids appropriately,” he stated. Parents are reminded that while frostbite is rare in early winter, it can and does occur if children are not properly dressed.

To mitigate the risk of frostbite, Dr. Paul recommends dressing children in layers and ensuring they remain dry. “When they get wet, it’s worse,” he cautioned. “Wet and cold equals frostbite.” With temperatures dropping, parents must pay close attention to their children’s winter attire to prevent dangerous exposure.

Dr. Paul also expressed concern about potential winter hazards, particularly as children play in snow piles and forts. “We don’t have a lot of snow now, but we have snow piles. Kids tend to play in snow forts and so on,” he noted. Parents are urged to supervise their kids closely to avoid injuries and monitor nearby street traffic.

For families planning to toboggan, safety is paramount. “Toboggan only where it’s allowed,” Dr. Paul advised. He emphasized the importance of avoiding busy streets and ensuring a clear path ahead. Most importantly, he advocates for the use of helmets during sledding, stating, “This is high speed. You use helmets for bicycling; you should be using it for tobogganing as well.”

Another critical safety warning involves frozen water bodies. Every year, children and pets fall through thin ice, making it essential for parents to exercise extreme caution. Dr. Paul urges families to be very careful about where they skate, emphasizing, “Be very leery and careful about where you’re allowing your kids or yourself to skate.” The ice must be thick enough to support weight, which is typically safe only after prolonged cold periods.

As winter activities ramp up, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit is committed to ensuring families remain safe and informed. Dr. Paul’s recommendations highlight the importance of preparation and vigilance as families head outdoors.

Stay tuned for more updates as winter unfolds, and remember: safety should always come first during this chilly season.