Snow Safety – Snow Tunnels and Children

Building or playing in snow tunnels near roadways is extremely dangerous and strictly discouraged by transportation officials (DPW’s , Highway Departments, etc). These snow tunnels pose severe risks, including collapse, suffocation, and being hit by passing cars or snow removal equipment that cannot see children. Always select safe play areas far from roads and driveways.

Key Safety Risks and Facts:

• Collapse Hazard – Snow tunnels are unstable and can collapse, trapping children inside with little warning.
• Snow Removal Danger – Plows and snow blowers often return to clear banks, failing to see children or destroying structures with people inside.
• Natural Snow Tunnels – Small, natural tunnels (Subnivean zones) are created by heat, bit these are for animals, not for play.

Recommendations:

• Never dig tunnels into snowbanks created by plows.
• Supervise children playing in snowy areas.
• Teach children to stay away from snowbanks near roadways.
• Use alternative play structures like snow walls with safe, open roofs

SAFE WINTER PLAY

Explain to children why it is extremely dangerous to play on or around snowbanks along the roads. Often after a storm snowplows and heavy equipment are returning to the streets to remove piles of snow and widen streets as much as possible. These operations clear space for street parking and to improve visibility for drivers. It also makes room for more snow in subsequent storms. Note that this process continues throughout the winter, not just when it is snowing.

AVOID DANGER ZONES

Never build tunnels or snow forts in the snowbanks, period. A snow tunnel or fort is unpredictable and can collapse on children playing inside with little or no forewarning. Once trapped the weight of the snow can trap and suffocate a child or if able to breathe prolonged exposure to frigid winter temperatures can bring on hypothermia and/or frostbite. This activity can also turn dangerous when snowplows and snow blowers return to these piles for further snow removal maintenance. 
Children are often unseen by approaching snow removal personnel. Also, this is extremely dangerous if a child is playing alone.

Children should not play alone in the snow. It is recommended to establish a buddy system with one or more friends and have them lookout for one another. Talk to your children and keep them safe this winter. Explain why they should stay out of snowbanks and not build tunnels and forts. As always, follow this up with supervision. Keep playing in the snow “fun and safe.”

Town of Clifton Park Public Safety Department