This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Stanford Children’s Health. The opinions and text are all mine.

As it starts snowing in certain parts of the country, a lot of families may already be planning on some well-deserved winter vacation. While it’s not yet snowing here in sunny California, I figured we can all benefit from some winter sports safety tips especially for kids — although it won’t hurt for adults to keep these in mind, too.

Whatever winter sport or activity you or your child may be into, it’s important to make sure that your equipment is in good condition. If you are unsure about it, I suggest you err on the side of caution. Also, helmets are important to make sure your kids are safe from head injury in case of a mishap.

Check that your child is warm enough for his/her activity. Dress in layers and check them from time to time to make sure they feel comfortable.

If you’re going ice skating, it’s always better to go to a skating rink simply because those are well-maintained. But if you really prefer a pond or lake, be sure to check with local authorities and go to approved areas for skating.

If your child will be skating, snowboarding or skiing for the first time, it would be a good idea for them to take a lesson first. I know that some ski resorts offer that for first timers so that they know how to stop or even fall.

Most importantly, always be sure you supervise your kids while sledding, tubing , skiing, or skating. It would be wise to be sure you know what to do, who to call, and/or where to go in case of an emergency.

More winter sports safety tips can be found at Stanford Children’s Health website. Check it out for more articles, to learn more about them and find a location close to you.

And connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for updates and more health tips!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Stanford Children’s Health. The opinions and text are all mine.