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Cold Sends Kids Indoors, Doctors Warn Of Frostbite

Recess Heads Indoors

By Jennifer Dodd

CREATED Jan. 21, 2013

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  • Teachers and students hold recess in the classroom during extremely cold days. See how they make recess work inside when the temperature drops outside. Video by nbc26.com

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  • Kids in Wautoma take advantage of our first significant snow of the season on Sunday 12/9/12. Send your pictures to iContribute@nbc26.com and describe your scene.

The usual sounds of laughter and child's play on the playground at MacArthur Elementary, were hushed Monday.

"Anytime the weather is below zero, including the wind chill, we bring our students in in the morning and during all recess times," principal Melissa Ellingson said. 
 
Instead recess was held indoors, in a classroom.  "We have games like bowling and jump around, " 11 year-old Leo Farrow said.  But, it wasn't so fun for students like Caziah White who was looking forward to getting out and playing. "I think it's a bummer," White said.
 
Still Ellingson said it's just one step they took and will continue taking this week to keep kids safe and warm. Necessary measures with temperature expected to dip well below zero.
Dangerous situations can arise quickly leading to a slight uptick in emergency room visits for frostbite this time of year. 
 
Pediatrician Dr. Andrea French with Prevea Health said it only takes 5 to 10 minutes in the current weather conditions for frost bite to occur. She said it's always good to be mindful of the warning signs, like burning, numbness, tingling, itching, or cold sensations in the affected areas. 
 
Dr. French said the younger the child, the more likely he or she is to get frostbite. If you suspect your child has frostbite, Dr. French said it's best to bring them inside immediately, remove damp or wet clothing and give them a warm bath. If you don't see an improvement in about 20 minutes, call a doctor.