Winter Safety Considerations
Outdoor winter activities present a different set of safety concerns from other seasonal activities that need to be addressed due to cold temperatures and conditions related to snow and ice.
Cold Temperatures
- Be aware of signs/symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia and take appropriate action when observed in participants.
- Ensure students are dressed for the temperature of the day, wearing warm clothing (e.g., hats, toques, mittens or gloves) and footwear.
- Make sure there is an appropriate source of warmth close to participants’ activities (e.g., a heated building).
Activity Area
- Natural outdoor ice surfaces (e.g., lake, pond)
- Check, with absolute certainty, that the ice where the activity is to take place is thick enough to be safe for activity. (This can be done by: using only School Board/school approved natural ice locations; contacting local authorities e.g., municipality, police, snowmobile club.)
- Snow conditions – freezing snow and ice, black ice surface
- Where walking/running would be hazardous, due to slips and falls, cancel the activity.
Outdoor Playing Areas and Surfaces
Outdoor environments will look different across each school community. Some might have a wide-open green space, wooded areas, and gardens; whereas others may mostly utilize a paved area. Depending on your physical spaces, the outdoor environment may include creating a dedicated outdoor playing space, or you may consider using nearby outdoor spaces such as a local park. It is important to be cognizant of Safety Standards when using outdoor spaces, along with understanding the strengths and constraints of the outdoor spaces available to you, so you can proactively consider where the activities can foster the best learning experience.
Some examples of playing areas you may consider during the winter season include:
- Tarmac
- School field with or without snow
- Designated outdoor learning space
- School playground
When choosing a playing area/surface for an outdoor activity, the Playing Area Checklist and the Playing Surfaces Checklist can be used to help ensure the area is safe and can promote successful outdoor activity.
Playing Area Checklist
- Activity is located well away from traffic areas.
- Check for potential hazards (e.g., trees, playground equipment, tetherball posts, basketball standards, soccer goal posts, softball standards, school building). Unless these objects are part of the activity (e.g., basketball standards, soccer goalposts), they should not be within the activity area or used as turning points, finish lines, end zones or boundaries.
- Establish a clearly delineated boundary line away from the hazards, using visual markers (e.g., pylons) to prevent contact/collision.
Playing Surfaces Checklist
- Check that the playing surface is free of obstacles (e.g., holes, large cracks, rocks, sprinkler heads, severely uneven surfaces) and free from ice patches.
- The condition must be made safe, or the activity must be modified or moved to a safe location.
- Activity surface provides for safe footing and traction.
For additional information on how to enrich and promote a culture of safety-mindedness, increase teacher awareness, confidence, and preparedness about education in the outdoors, consult Ophea’s Elementary and Secondary Outdoor Education Toolkits.
