NYSSHSC school closing guidelines

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The New York Statewide School Health Services Center has sent us the guidelines for school closings and outdoor activity due to the cold weather.

For more information-check out the NYSSHSC website.

GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL CLOSURE DUE TO COLD WEATHER

This document was authored by Cynthia DiLaura Devore, MD, FAAP and reviewed and approved for use by the Monroe County Public Health Department and the NYS Chapter I AAP/Monroe County Medical Society Committee on School Health and Sports Medicine.

COLD WEATHER INTRODUCTION:

Severe climate conditions where temperatures and wind chill dip into certain extreme ranges can cause medical concerns for the safety of children.  Four areas of focus that will help to decrease the risk of injury to children from severe weather include:

• Considering school closure for significant weather extremes,
• Educating parents through newsletters and mailings,
• Modifying bus arrangements and outdoor activities to accommodate weather emergencies, and
• Involving the principal and nurse in monitoring temperature extremes that might place children at risk for medical complications throughout the school day.

Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in about 30 minutes in adults in the range of wind-chill of -25F and in as little as 10 minutes in adults in the range of wind-chill of
-40ºF. It takes less time for children. Frostbite can also occur in children even before temperatures and wind chills dip into these extreme numbers; it just takes a little longer. Temperatures are usually predicted in ranges. Wind chill temperatures anywhere in this range of -25 to -40 ºF coupled with other factors, such as long walking distances, delayed wait times, uncertain bus dependability, and a lack of emergency backup, can be dangerous. These are factors in helping you to make a decision about closure.

It is important to keep in mind that there is a difference between risk assessment (based on public health risk) and risk management (based on public relations). The National Weather Service will begin to issue media ADVISORIES when wind chills of -15F are predicted and WARNINGS when wind chills of -25F are predicted.

CONSIDERATION FOR SCHOOL CLOSURE:

1. No one should be outside with unprotected skin with wind-chill factors in the range of - 40º F. If there is such a thing as a medical reason for closure, this would be a probable medical indication for school closure and suspension of outdoor activity, including all interscholastic outdoor sports, even cold weather sports.      
2. Injuries can occur sooner and at higher temperatures.  As we are approaching wind chills of –25ºF, it may be time to consider either closure or later arrival especially for elementary children, or in districts where there are many dual working parents where children may be left on their own, or longer walking distances or waiting times at bus stops to give the sun a chance to rise and warm the air a bit. Anticipation is obviously not an option in every situation, such as predictions of worsening weather conditions overnight or over the course of the day.
3. When wind chills are of -25ºF are predicted, the bus garage might be placed on a cold weather alert  where back up drivers are called to be on hand for emergencies, and drivers are alerted to call dispatch sooner for assistance if road conditions or traffic cause unusual delays.  In districts that contract out for services or do not have bus service, attention to emergency back up plans should be strongly considered.
4. Family reminders should begin and be frequently repeated at wind chills in the minus numbers.   Websites might have advice for safety in extreme conditions.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITY IN EXTREME COLD

1. When wind-chills are below 20ºF dipping into the teens, consider whether to suspend outdoor activities, including outdoor sports, physical education, clubs and playground/recess, because the length of time the children would be outside in these instances is increased. If children go outside, staff needs to be sensitive to children who are not properly clothed, who become wet, or who report they are cold or feeling pain or numbness.
EXCEPTION:  Those activities that are specific to cold weather, such as downhill or cross country skiing, may be scheduled as long as frequent warming breaks and adequate hydration occur, and students are properly clothed for and annually educated about the dangers associated with such temperature extremes.
2. The school nurse and principal should have a copy of the wind chill chart in each school (available through the National Weather Service at http://www.weather.gov/os/windchill/index.shtml or the Monroe County Public Health Department at  www.MonroeCounty.gov  >> Public Health >> Alerts& Warnings), and they should work together daily to determine when the conditions are too risky for safe outdoor fun.   When using temperature and wind chill charts, the reference to the freezing of flesh is exposed