January
Newsletter
How to Dress
Adjust winter clothes for children’s needs-dress in several thin layers
Keep exposure to the cold at a minimum- limit time outside
Don’t forget winter accessories- warm boots, coat, gloves, hat, and a scarf
Change out of wet clothes right away
Safe Fun During Winter Activities
Sledding
Find hills away from streets, trees or stationary objects
Advise your children to wear helmets while sledding
Make sure there are separate paths to go up and down a hill to avoid running over people
Take extra caution when the snow starts to melt and then refreeze or there’s a layer of ice with the snow
Ice Skating
Wear a helmet when ice skating -injuries can easily occur when falling on ice
Advise against skating on ponds or lakes-they can have soft spots and thin ice
Frost Bite
If your child skin turning red or becoming numb, move to a warmer location and protect them from further exposure
Use warm water or blankets to raise their body temperature
Do not rub the area- this could create further damage the skin
If normal skin color does not return in one hour, call your doctor or go to the ER
(St. Louis Children's Hospital, 2020)
Wind Chill Considerations
Parkway utilizes the National Weather Service's wind chill chart as a guide when determining whether to close school or reduce recess time due to cold temperatures. Any time the temperature or wind chill temperature reaches the point at which exposed skin could experience frostbite, we consider closing school. We also keep students inside or reduce time outside for recess based on the temperatures throughout the day. Keep in mind the wind chill chart is a guideline, not a rule.
Preparing for the Cold Weather
Parkway buses are connected to heaters overnight and we will make sure our buses are started early and warm for your children when they arrive
We encourage you to remind children to dress warmly (coat, hat, gloves, and scarf)
If your child is to remain inside during outdoor activities at school a physician's note is required
Your child’s bus should always arrive within five minutes of its scheduled time. You may consider waiting with your child in a car until the bus comes
If your child walks to school, we suggest you try to make arrangements for a ride to school
Guidelines for taking children outside
32 degrees and above, it’s safe to be outside
13 degrees to 31 degrees, indoor breaks should happen every 20-30 minutes
13 degrees and below, children should remain inside
*Temperature includes wind-chill
(A Healthier Michigan, 2019)
Vehicle Care:
Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level
Check your tires’ tread
Keep the gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines
Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer
Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Winter
Winter emergency car kit should include:
Cell phone and portable charger
Items to stay warm- extra hats, coats, mittens, blankets, or sleeping bags
Food and water
Booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction)
Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
First-aid kit
Plastic bags (CDC, 2020)
Avoiding Slips and Falls
Slips and falls account for almost 9 million unintentional injuries in the U.S. each year, according to the National Safety Council. Here are some tips to help prevent slips and falls:
Wear properly fitted shoes
Take your time, walk slowly
Walk carefully, with smaller and shorter steps
Stay aware and look for uneven ground, protruding structures, holes, debris, and ice/ snow packed surfaces
Be cautious when exiting your vehicle
Use hand rails when possible
(Cullinan, 2020)
Plan ahead, avoid rushing
Stay in well lit areas
Keep your hands free
Watch for slippery floors inside from wet conditions
Carbon Monoxide Safety
Carbon Monoxide or "CO" is a odorless, colorless gas that can kill you. CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.
Symptoms of CO Poisoning include:
headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.”
(CDC, 2022)How To Avoid CO Poisoning
Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home.
Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house even with the garage door open.
Have a mechanic check the exhaust system of your car or truck every year.
Never burn charcoal indoors.
Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
Make sure gas appliances are vented properly
Have your chimney cleaned or checked every year.
Have your heating system serviced every year by a qualified technician.
Educational Fun at Home
This list includes fun, educational health projects that you can do at home. These ideas are geared toward adolescent and teenage age groups.
Health and Human Body Experiments for pre-school and up that you can do at home.
Important Information from Parkway Health Services
Important forms can be found here: Health Forms
Current illness guidelines can be found here: Illness Guidelines