Bruce McEnroe, Lawrence, and his niece, Grace Ladner, 4, from Wichita, bomb down a hill at Centennial Park in this December 2007 file photo.

Knowing Kansas, we’re due for at least another month of cold weather before the winter coats can be put into storage.

But with children itching to get outside to avoid cabin fever, it might be easy to forget the dangers of cold weather.

Laura Fitzmaurice, chief of chief of emergency medical services at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., offers these suggestions for when your children head outside in the cold:

¢ Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. Have children come inside periodically to warm up.

¢ Make sure kids have a snack before going out. The calories will give their bodies energy in the cold weather.

¢ Protect your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen. The sun’s rays can reflect off snow and cause sunburn in the winter.

¢ Avoid cotton clothing except as part of layers because cotton alone won’t keep kids very warm. Stick with wool or other fabrics.

¢ Layers can be the key to keeping warm. Dress kids in long underwear, a turtleneck, a sweater and a coat. Waterproof pants and jackets are great top layers because they don’t let the wetness seep into the other clothing.