As the cold weather creeps up on us this festive season, so does the likelihood of treacherous weather conditions leading to an increase in accidents. As children are less vigilant when it comes to being cautious in the winter, it’s natural that every parent should worry about the repercussions that a nasty tumble could have.
After seeing the first spattering of snowfall at the end of November this year, further freezing temperatures are forecast to follow in December.
In this article we explore some of the common accidents that occur at this time of year and how to protect your family if the worst happens.
Snow and ice injuries
As we see temperatures begin to plummet, surfaces such as roads and pavements can quickly ice over. This becomes a huge issue for the likes of drivers and pedestrians alike. While roads are often gritted to aid drivers in such weather conditions, pavements are often missed out entirely – posing a serious risk to anyone on foot. Black ice, in particular, is notoriously dangerous for children walking to school, and even the smallest of slips can cause serious injuries, such as concussions, sprained ankles or even broken bones.
Taking precautions
With the arrival of the festive season, comes an array of winter activities that children enjoy taking part in, such as:
– Skiing / snowboarding
– Sledging
– Tobogganing
– Ice skating
But these sports can quickly lead to nasty accidents if the right safety precautions aren’t followed. Here are a few examples of how to keep your children safe during these activities:
– Ensure you child wears safety equipment such as a helmet or protective eyewear (especially when skiing and snowboarding). Recent studies show that a helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries by over 50% in winter sports!
– Protective clothing such as salopettes and a thick, warm coat can help to pad out any falls on the ice or ski slopes
– Teach your children to never go down a hill head first when sledging
– Whether it’s ski boots on the slopes, or wellies on the hillside, ensure your child’s footwear fits correctly to avoid any twisted ankles when ploughing through the snow
How to take action if an accident occurs
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare to find that their child has been injured in an incident. If the damage is minor, such as a scrape or sprain, be sure to monitor your child closely while treating them at home. If the injury turns out to be more sinister, however, it can lead to a trip to A&E, and even result in surgery in a worst case scenario. If this happens, and you think you could be liable to make a claim on behalf of your child, be sure to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer to discuss what relevant action you can take.
This is a collaborative post. Photo by Sam Battaglieri on Unsplash