Keeping Kids Active
We welcome the fall of snow by rolling out snowmen, shoveling walkways and driveways and dusting off skis and sleds. We forget about how when the snow falls, so can we.
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As a family, go for walks, ride bikes, jump rope, play catch, go bowling, ice skating or roller-blading with your kids. |
According to a 2009 report from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, U.S. emergency rooms reported 16,948 head injuries resulting from skiing, sledding, snowboarding and snowmobiling accidents. Many of these head injuries can be easily avoided by the use of protective head gear such as helmets.
Another way to avoid being hurt while enjoying the winter is stretching your muscles out before going outside to exercise, including before snow shoveling or even snow blowing. Three to five minutes of light stretching could make the difference between getting the job done and injury. Overall, proper stretching and hydration, combined with the right protective gear and tuned up safety equipment, will hopefully keep you out of trouble.
Wearing light, loose fitting and water- and wind-resistant layers of clothing will allow you to adjust your body temperature to the outdoor temperature throughout the day. It’s also a good idea to take a stand with the right footwear that will keep you warm and dry while supporting your ankles and feet, thereby minimizing slipping and falling.
Living in a northern climate offers a tremendous amount of beautiful scenery and extraordinary sports for the whole family to enjoy. This winter, put the brakes on needless injury or it will put the brakes on you.
References
http://www.aap.org/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10608360/
