Extreme cold combined with snow and ice present new dangers for your children, especially if they walk to school. Here's how you can help keep them safe.
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00:00There's no doubt it is cold across the northeast this week. Some locations
00:04seeing temperatures in the single digits. The last few days we've been
00:07honing in on basic safety practices in these conditions. But what about
00:11expanding that conversation and talking about the Children's safety too? It's
00:15just something that you have to have a conversation with your Children before
00:17they leave the house in the morning, making sure always obviously start off,
00:20hopefully have a have a good breakfast, make sure they're dressed appropriately
00:23to avoid them with potential risk of the cold and the severe cold that we're
00:27dealing with right now. Winter mornings can be tough for kids heading
00:30out to school and extreme cold adds another layer of danger to protect
00:34Children. Officials recommend dressing in warm, layered clothing, make sure
00:38they have a coat, hat, gloves and insulated boots, all essential for
00:43staying safe in freezing temperatures. And we just encourage everyone just
00:46please be smart, be safe. Um, and just, you know, plan ahead, leave a little
00:50early if you have to for travel and just be careful for those walking to
00:55school. The risks are compounded by icy sidewalks and roads. Slippery
00:59surfaces can lead to falls while dark early mornings make Children less
01:03visible to drivers. That's why reflective gear such as brightly
01:07colored backpacks or jackets can make a big difference. School resource
01:11officers also urged drivers to slow down and be extra alert in school
01:15zones. Drive like they're your kids walking to school as well. Um, you know,
01:19I know the speed limit here is 25 in the school area. Just if you have to go
01:23to the speed limit because of the road conditions and the kids crossing and
01:26that's what you have to do. Parents should encourage Children to avoid
01:29shortcuts through poorly maintained areas and to stay in groups for added
01:33safety. Now is a great time for families to have those safety
01:37conversations, especially about the importance of dressing for the weather
01:41and being extra careful around icy roads and for drivers. Patience is key
01:47for Accuweather. I'm Allie Reed.