Winter is here and it’s time to get outside and enjoy some winter sports. But it’s important to make sure that little ones (and not so little ones) are warm and safe playing outside.
How Cold is Too Cold?
When deciding how long kids (and adults!) can play outdoors safely, the wind chill factor is most important. Wind Chill is the term used to describe the rate of heat loss on the human body resulting from the combined effect of low temperature and wind.
Canadian Windchill Chart (PDF) (http://www.almanac.com/content/windchill-chart-canada)
NOAA Wind Chill Chart (http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ddc/?n=windchill#New)
New Wind Chill Chart
Temperature (F)
| Calm | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | -5 | -10 | -15 | -20 | -25 | -30 | -35 | -40 | -45 |
| 5 | 36 | 31 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 7 | 1 | -5 | -11 | -16 | -22 | -28 | -34 | -40 | -46 | -52 | -57 | -63 |
| 10 | 34 | 27 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -4 | -10 | -16 | -22 | -28 | -35 | -41 | -47 | -53 | -59 | -66 | -72 |
| 15 | 32 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 0 | -7 | -13 | -19 | -26 | -32 | -39 | -45 | -51 | -58 | -64 | -71 | -77 |
| 20 | 30 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 4 | -2 | -9 | -15 | -22 | -29 | -35 | -42 | -48 | -55 | -61 | -68 | -74 | -81 |
| 25 | 29 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 3 | -4 | -11 | -17 | -24 | -31 | -37 | -44 | -51 | -58 | -64 | -71 | -78 | -84 |
| 30 | 28 | 22 | 15 | 8 | 1 | -5 | -12 | -19 | -26 | -33 | -39 | -46 | -53 | -60 | -67 | -73 | -80 | -87 |
| 35 | 28 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 0 | -7 | -14 | -21 | -27 | -34 | -41 | -48 | -55 | -62 | -69 | -76 | -82 | -89 |
| 40 | 27 | 20 | 13 | 6 | -1 | -8 | -15 | -22 | -29 | -36 | -43 | -50 | -57 | -64 | -71 | -78 | -84 | -91 |
| 45 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 5 | -2 | -9 | -16 | -23 | -30 | -37 | -44 | -51 | -58 | -65 | -72 | -79 | -86 | -93 |
| 50 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 4 | -3 | -10 | -17 | -24 | -31 | -38 | -45 | -52 | -60 | -67 | -74 | -81 | -88 | -95 |
| 55 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 4 | -3 | -11 | -18 | -25 | -32 | -39 | -46 | -54 | -61 | -68 | -75 | -82 | -89 | -97 |
| 60 | 25 | 17 | 10 | 3 | -4 | -11 | -19 | -26 | -33 | -40 | -48 | -55 | -62 | -69 | -76 | -84 | -91 | -98 |
| Frostbite occurs in 15 minutes or less |
Keep this chart handy:
|
Green Zone 30°F / -1° C and warmer |
Yellow Zone 20° to 30° F / -7° to -1° C |
Red Zone Below 20° F / -7° C |
| Great outdoor playing weatherLayer clothing Hats and mitts Offer water regularly to help regulate body temperature Feel hands regularly Take breaks every 40 minutes or so |
Be cautious – limit time outdoors Take breaks every 20 – 30 minutes Watch for signs of chilling |
Stay inside |
Fun Sports by Age Group (all sports require appropriate safety equipment including a helmet)
| Age | Play/Sports They are Ready For | Recommended Safety Gear* |
| All ages | Playing in the snow | •Water-repellent pants and jacket, or a snowsuit, with layers underneath (such as a turtleneck or thermal shirt covered by a sweater) •Water-repellent gloves or mittens •Cotton socks •Hat •Water-repellent boots |
| 2-year-olds | Skiing between your legs | •Bike or ski helmet |
| 3-year-olds | Sledding with you (facing forward, not on stomach) | •Bike or ski helmet |
| 4-year-olds | Skiing solo | •Ski helmet (instead of a hat) •Long underwear •Goggles/sunglasses with UV protection, depending on the weather |
| Ice skating (1/2 size smaller than shoes for supportive fit) | •Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, especially for beginners | |
| 5- to 8-year-olds | Ice hockey | •Elbow pads •Shin and knee guards •Shoulder and chest pads •Padded hockey shorts •Hockey helmet with face mask •Mouthpiece •Hockey gloves |
| 9-year-olds | Snowboarding | •Knee pads •Wrist guards •Padded shorts (“butt pads”) •Snowboard helmet (instead of a hat) |
*Check with local authorities or coaches for up-to-date and accurate recommended safety equipment.
Adapted from an article by Deborah Skolnik
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