Shriners Children’s New England Warns Parents of Winter Weather-related Risks

SPRINGFIELD — Bitter cold and snowy weather have descended on New England as the region heads into the depths of winter. Playing in the snow can be fun, but Shriners Children’s New England is offering parents tips on how to keep children safe during extreme temperatures.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Wint, orthopedic and hand surgeon at Shriners Children’s New England, with the winter weather often come injuries from snowblowers as well as weather-related problems such as frostbite.

Wint said he generally recommends following the manufacturer’s guidelines for snowblowers, which typically state that the devices shouldn’t be operated by anyone under age 16 without supervision. But he warns that he sees people of all ages come in with snowblower injuries. He noted that children and adults need to be careful with their hands around snowblowers at all times. When cleaning the device, make sure it is fully off and the clutch is disengaged.

“When the temperature is just below 30 degrees and the snow is heavy and wet, the snowblowers tend to get clogged,” Wint said. “People may put their hands in the outflow chute, which has an impeller at the bottom that can seriously injure hands. The impeller frequently gets stuck, and that’s what ends up catching the fingers. Bad fractures and severe open wounds can result when you stick your hand down the chute. Sometimes, the tips of fingers could be sliced off, and these injuries can also lead to amputations. Instead of sticking your hand down the chute to unclog it, use a stick. Some snowblowers even come with a stick for that exact reason.”

Another danger the cold weather poses to children is frostbite, which occurs when the tissues of the skin and often deeper structures freeze due to prolonged exposure to cold, especially in temperatures below freezing. Frostbite can cause blistering of the skin, intense pain, and permanent damage to the fingers and other parts of the body.

“The hands and feet are especially vulnerable to frostbite,” Wint said. “Wet hands and feet lose heat even faster, so it’s important to keep them dry. Wearing layers of clothes, good mittens, and high-quality socks helps prevent frostbite. We like to recommend mitts over gloves as it keeps all the fingers together to warm each other. A lot of times, kids will go out and play for a few hours without realizing what is happening to their fingers or exposed skin. Young kids lose heat more quickly than adults, so it’s important they do not stay outside as long.”

Wint said the first signs of frostbite are waxy skin, red or discolored skin, and finger pain. The first step when seeing these symptoms is to immediately go inside and slowly rewarm the hands in lukewarm water. For mild cases, that should be enough. However, if the skin color changes persist, or if any change in sensation in the hand persists, like numbness or tingling after rewarming, seek medical attention at the emergency department or urgent care. Blistering is a dangerous sign, at which time a parent should seek immediate medical attention. Extreme cases of frostbite will be treated like a second- or third-degree burn.

Wint still wants children to have fun in the snow, but he wants them to be safe and take precautions. Smart behavior around snowblowers and adequate layers can keep a child safe during the winter.