Preventing winter injuries: how to protect schoolchildren from dangerous situations

Ahead of the New Year holidays, an important educational lesson in an interview format on the topic “Preventing winter injuries among schoolchildren” was organized for schoolchildren of East Kazakhstan region. The event was held by Örken East Kazakhstan Regional Scientific and Methodological Center for Informatization and Education Development of Education Administration of East Kazakhstan region jointly with Shygys Preventive Medicine Center.

The speaker was Armangul M. Jembayeva, an expert from Shygys Preventive Medicine Center. She shared practical knowledge that help students, their parents and teachers prevent dangerous situations in winter.

The winter season traditionally brings an increase in injuries among children, and this lesson was aimed at equipping all participants with essential practical skills to ensure safety.

According to the expert, “the winter season and sudden weather changes significantly increase the number of injuries, especially among children.” Unlike adults, children often do not know how to move safely on icy surfaces, and their attention is more easily distracted. Moreover, cold weather reduces “muscle and ligament elasticity, meaning even a minor slip may result in sprains, fractures, or other injuries.” That is why preventive discussions and safety education for children are of great importance.  

Armangul M. Jembayeva explained that the main causes of winter injuries are related to the environmental conditions and physiological characteristics of children. Snow, ice, and road inequalities increase risks. “Children tend to run, play, fall, and as a result, the number of injuries increases during the winter period,” the expert stressed.   

The most common injuries include fractures, concussions, bruises and sprains. This is because of improper falling techniques. The vestibular apparatus and the sense of balance of adolescents and children are not yet fully developed, which increases the risk of injuries from falls.

Particular attention was paid to wrist fractures, which frequently occur when children instinctively fall on their hands, as well as fall onto the back, which is facilitated by heavy school backpacks that disrupt balance.    

The speaker noted that parents bear primary responsibility for children’s safety. They should discuss with their children about safe outdoor behavior and appropriate clothing. It is important to talk about the rules, as well as to plan a safe route from home to school and back. 

Special emphasis was placed on choosing proper winter footwear. “Experts recommend shoes that provide secure ankle support”, - the expert emphasized. Shoes should be non-slippery, with high-quality tread, and are daily checked by parents and children.

“Every evening or morning, when the child goes outside, it is necessary to check whether the shoes are dry and in what condition they are,” the expert advised. Wet shoes increase both the risk of hypothermia and falls.

Clothing is also important for injury prevention. It should be comfortable, non-restrictive, without long elements that may catch on objects. “The use of thermal underwear is recommended, and reflective elements on clothing are essential in the evening to improve visibility of children on roads.

Among the most dangerous winter activities, the speaker highlighted sliding on unofficial, self-made hills, which is strictly prohibited due to the high risk of accidents.

Such slides often appear spontaneously near roads or in courtyards between parking lots, which can lead to driving onto the roadway or colliding with obstacles. The higher the slide, the further the children roll away, and the higher risk of injury. Therefore, children should only use properly equipped slides and always follow safety rules.

As for the skating rinks, it is important to follow the rules there too. Children should skate in properly equipped areas and in appropriate clothing. If children play on the rink in the evening after school, they should have reflective elements.

Furthermore, the speaker also said that it is useful to learn the safe falling techniques, noting that instructional materials are widely available on the Internet. “You can watch videos on YouTube how to skate properly,” the speaker noted.

In conclusion, Armangul M. Jembayeva stressed that injury prevention requires daily, simple but very effective actions: “Regular conversations with children, monitoring their clothing and footwear in the evening.” You should also pay attention to the contents and weight of their school backpacks. These measures not only reduce injury risk but also positively affect posture and overall health.

The lesson served as a reminder that winter safety is a shared responsibility of parents, teachers, and children. The knowledge gained is not just a theory, but a practical guide to action. By following these simple but effective recommendations - choose safe shoes and clothes, plan routes, and avoid dangerous places to play - families can significantly reduce the risk of winter injuries and ensure that holidays and winter breaks are both joyful and safe.