Peel Health recommends the following steps to be taken to prevent cold injuries:
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General Recommendations
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- Establish both a policy and plan to deal
with potential consequences of extreme
temperatures and winter storms (e.g. power
outage, lack of transportation). Have an
emergency kit available.
- Reduce the amount of time children spend
outdoors when the temperature is -20
degrees Celsius or colder (with or without
the wind chill)
- Keep children indoors when the
temperature is -25 degrees Celsius or
colder (with or without wind chill).
Some medical conditions may increase
sensitivity to cold, parents should consult
their physician.
- Allow indoor breaks if children say they
are feeling cold or during extreme
temperatures.
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- Ensure children are dressed warmly,
covering exposed skin: insulated boots,
winter weight coats, mittens, hats, and
neck warmers.
- Change wet clothing or footwear
immediately.
- Although these conditions are unlikely to
occur during the school day, ensure that all
staff are able to recognize and treat
symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia.
Give plenty of warm fluids to prevent
dehydration.
- When children are outside, be watchful for
shivering or signs of numbness in faces,
ears, hands or feet.
- Educate parents and children about
dealing with cold weather: drinking plenty
of fluids, dressing warmly, and recognizing
signs of cold injury.
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During a Cold Alert
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Follow the General Guidelines AND
- Give warm fluids and avoid caffeinated beverages to prevent dehydration
- Remember to dress children in layers of warm clothing
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- Keep children indoors
- Maintain a heated indoor environment at 20° Celsius or higher
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