Brush Up on Winter Safety for Kids in the Adirondacks

When it comes to winter safety for kids in the Adirondacks, the top priority is dressing warmly. But there are other specific safety tips to know about depending on the activity: playing outdoors, skiing, ice skating, and sledding/tubing.

Seasonally Appropriate, Layered Clothing

Here are some rules of thumb for winter safety tips when it comes to clothes:

• Layers of moisture-wicking, waterproof clothing (no cotton!)
• A hat, mittens (or gloves, but mittens are recommended by the DEC), scarf, thick socks
• Waterproof, winter boots

General Safety Tips for Playing Outside

Even if kids aren't engaging in an organized activity like skiing, it's still important to stay safe, by doing the following:

• Avoid going outside in extreme weather conditions - no strong winds, no snowstorms, and no super low temperatures 
• Take regular breaks - come inside for hot chocolate!
• Regularly check clothing - wet clothing should be switched out for dry
• Remember supervision - kids under 8 should always be supervised by an adult
• Do not go near snowplows or snowblowers
• Avoid playing around roads, fences, and open water
• Be extra cautious crossing a road - it may be harder for cars to stop
• Watch out for dangling icicles from roofs

Brush Up on Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding Safety

Here are some prime tips for skiing with kids: 

• Wear the proper gear and equipment, including a helmet, wrist guards, and goggles
• Keep your eyes open for other people on the slopes and obstacles
• Young children should be supervised on the trails
• Stay on marked trails and the open ski area
• Learn to control your speed - start on a beginner hill if needed

Stay Safe While Ice Skating

If you're ice skating on a frozen, unmaintained pond or lake, make sure the ice is safe:

• For clear/blue ice, the thickness should be 4 inches for one person or around 8 inches for a larger group of ice skaters
• For white/gray ice, the thickness should be twice as thick; be aware that this type of ice is significantly weaker and not recommended for ice skating
• Remember, ice is not uniform over a large body of water

Read up more on ice safety >>

Find places to ice skate >>

Get Educated on Sledding Safety

Even with a wholesome, incredibly kid-friendly activity like sledding or snowtubing, you'll want to stay safe:

• Sleds, snow tubes, and toboggans should be the right size for the person using one; for example, kids should ride in small snow tubes instead of adult-sized tubes
• Don't go sledding on a hill near roads, trails, trees, fences, or other dangerous obstacles
• Try and avoid crowded slopes with a lot of sledders
• Don't allow a kid under the age of 5 to sled alone
• Have one parent at the top of the hill and one at the bottom

Find places to go sledding or tubing >>

Taking your kids snowmobiling? Brush up on snowmobiling safety >>

<< Back to the Winter Guide