Building a snow fort is a Quebec winter classic. With the amount of snow received in recent days and the expected rainfall this weekend, he has a good chance that young and old will have fun building walls, digging tunnels and building castles.  However, while this game may seem trivial, it presents real risks that should not be underestimated.

Every year, incidents remind us of the importance of building snow forts with care. Earlier this week, a 13-year-old girl died of her injuries after being trapped in a snow tunnel built on the grounds of her family’s home.

Major risks include:

- Collapse: A heavy or poorly packed snow can collapse on a child and lead to burial. This type of accident can cause serious injury or even asphyxia.

- Cold and hypothermia: Playing in the snow for a long time, especially in an enclosed space such as a fort, can expose children to intense cold, increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

- Lack of visibility: A fort built too close to a street or garage entrance can be invisible to drivers, especially snow plows and motorists, which is a significant hazard.

Essential safety measures

To keep building and playing in a snow fort safe, here are some safety rules to follow:

- Always supervise children: Adults should monitor construction and play in a snow fort to intervene quickly if there is a problem; 

- Avoid tunnels and thick roofs: Digging a tunnel or adding a roof to a fort can increase the risk of collapse. If a roof is absolutely necessary, it must be very thin and well supported; 

-  Ensure that the fort is visible: Never build a fort near a street, garage driveway or snow removal area to avoid accidents involving a vehicle or a snowblower; 

- Wear appropriate clothing: To avoid cold and damp, children should wear warm mittens, a raincoat, a neck warmer and a blanket; 

- Avoid playing alone: It is better to play in a group so that the children can help each other in case of problems; 

- Do not use hard objects: Forts should be built with snow only, without using sticks, stones or other hard objects that could hurt someone; 

By applying these simple safety rules, young and old can enjoy winter to the full while staying safe.