Are they dressed for the winter? By FAYE WHITBECK, Staff Writer

But the experts as well as school officials agree — when it comes to safety and winter clothing, parents play the most important role.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons cautions that it takes only minutes for exposed skin to become frostbitten if the temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Parents need to know what winter clothing is best; what protection their child has when they leave the home, and what is the student’s school policy regarding outside time during sub-zero temperatures.

Hands, fingers, feet, toes, nose and ears are especially susceptible in winter weather and special care is needed to protect them, particularly in the case of kids. Younger children have less developed circulatory systems, and often can’t be relied upon to protect themselves.

The AAOS says that symptoms such as cold sensitivity, numbness, or chronic pain may last for years after an incident of frostbite. In extreme cases, a child’s frostbitten tissue may be permanently damaged for the adult years.

When students are sent off to school, District 361 parents and guardians should keep in mind the time their child may spend outside. This could be up to one-half hour on outside grounds before entering the school as well as during lunch recess, says one local parent.

And even on warmer winter days, many kids expose skin during snow play.

The decision as to when District 361 students will be allowed indoors, outside of classroom hours, is based on a general policy, according to Jerry Hilfer, Falls Elementary School principal. He reports that the stay-inside guideline is ordinarily set for days when the temperature falls below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

“But nothing is really hard and fast,” Hilfer told The Journal, adding that any wind factor is considered on a daily basis when deciding whether children should remain outdoors in the hours preceding school, or during the lunch-period recess.

Hilfer noted that especially after several days of cold weather, many students have a need to get outdoors. “Many kids want to get out,” he said, “and after three, four, five days of cold weather in a row, we like to get out if we can.”

The principal explained that for students with special circumstances or chronic health issues, exceptions are always considered. And, he said, even those who just have the need to warm up may do so.

With written consent, a student may remain indoors routinely, Hilfer said. He noted that a homework room with limited capacity is available to students.

But Hilfer acknowledges that some students just aren’t dressed for the cold, and advises parents to make sure that hats, mittens and boots are part of the daily winter-dressing routine. In spite of living in one of the coldest spots in the nation, he said that some students still come wearing only tennis shoes. “There are some fifth-grade boys who come to school in just a sweat shirt, and no hats and mittens,” Hilfer said.

L-BF and cold weather

Chris Bachmaier, dean of students at the Littlefork-Big Falls School told The Journal that District 362 keeps students inside during the lunch recess when the temperature is 10 degrees or more below zero, with or without a wind-chill factor. All L-BF students are admitted immediately in the morning hours before school begins, he said.

Bachmaier explained that an unwritten L-BF policy has the outdoor temperature checked daily just before the lunch hour, and has been monitored by a school janitor for more than 20 years. Bachmaier reports that physical activity and sports equipment are routinely provided in the gymnasium, as is the option to do homework.

As with District 361, parents who would like their student kept indoors on a regular basis should provide written requests which are generally honored, he said.

“Any wind-chill advisory and we don’t go out at all,” Bachmaier noted, adding that L-BF school is automatically canceled when the temperature is 40 degrees below zero, or colder.

“Bundle your kids up, these months are the cold ones,” Bachmaier advises parents. “Dress them for recess, but also for the bus ride.” He adds that faculty regularly reminds students to have their hats and mittens.

Important Information for Dressing Kids in Winter

For appropriate dress that helps in the prevention of frostbite in children or adults, the AAOS offers the following tips:

• Light, loose, layered clothing provides both ventilation and insulation. Top that outfit with a water-repellent (not waterproof) fabric.

• Check for gaps in children’s clothing (such as between their glove or mitten and sleeve) that might expose bare skin to the cold.

• Mittens are warmer than gloves which constrict fingers, and two pair of socks (wool over lightweight cotton) will help keep feet warm.

• Take special care to protect a child’s head, hands and feet. Substantial heat loss occurs through the scalp; head coverings are vital.

• If youngsters get wet, outside exposure should not be prolonged. Wet clothing should be removed as quickly as possible.

• Educate kids on the signs of frostbite, and how to check their body parts every half hour. Frostbitten areas may feel numb, or hard and frozen; and may appear waxy, white, or grayish. Any of these signs should send them inside immediately.

What to Do After Frostbite

Real frostbite in children or adults requires medical attention. In the event

of a lack of immediate medical attention, follow these tips to prevent further injury:

• Get to a warm room as soon as possible and call for medical assistance. Warm drinks such as broth or tea are OK.

• Rest the injured areas (avoid walking on frostbitten feet, for example) and elevate them slightly.

• Take off any wet or restrictive clothing.

• Warm the affected area by immersing it in warm (NOT HOT) water for at least 30 to 45 minutes, or until it feels warm and sensation returns. During warming, severe pain may be felt and the injured area may swell and change color.

• Do not do anything that will further injure the frostbitten tissue. Leave blisters intact, and cover them with a sterile or clean cloth until you are seen by a physician.

• Do not rub the area with hands, with snow, or with anything else.

• Do not start to warm the affected area if there is any chance that it will be exposed to the cold again.

• Do not use dry heat, such as from a heating pad, sunlamp, fire, or radiator, to try to warm the area. Because the skin is numb and will not feel the heat, it can easily be burned.