Snow day safety

About time

Sometimes kids have so much fun playing outdoors that they don’t want to come inside. Set boundaries beforehand, explaining to kids that the colder the temperature, the greater the need to take breaks inside.

“Say, ‘We’re going to go outside and play, but in 30 minutes, we’re going to come inside and drink something warm,’ so that way, the children have that expectation that they will be coming in to warm up but then they can go back outside,” Lee said.

If you’re heading to a location farther from home, such as a park, have a plan for finding warmth, “whether that be in a vehicle or a warming station, or identifying a home nearby or other place where people can warm up,” Jordan said.

Avoid emergencies

Whether you’ll be visiting a recreation area or staying on your own block, Capt. John Mehling of the Fishers (IN) Fire Department wants you to remember to stay away from snowblowers and snowplows.

Don’t walk in the street, even if sidewalks are covered with snow, and use extra caution if crossing the road.

If you’re near a body of water and you see a person or a pet fall through thin ice, contact authorities immediately. Don’t attempt a rescue yourself, as this accelerates your risk of falling into the icy water.

“The sooner you get 911 called and get rescuers on the way, the faster that’s going to have a happier outcome,” Mehling said.