Do you let your kids eat snow?

[hilaryisinked]

Yes

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[thealmightyme]

I still eat snow when it's new nice and clean looking. Why wouldn't I let my kids? Not that is snows very often in So Cal.

[MsGiggles]

Originally Posted by Joyful Tie Dyes According to the Canada Safety Council, the real danger in eating snow is the large amount of bacteria it contains. The CSC analyzed 20 samples of snow from around the world and found high bacteria levels in all samples. The most abundant bacteria was Pseudomonas syringae, a bacteria that causes diseases in beans and tomatoes. The amount of bacteria in snow is comparable to the amount of bacteria children are exposed to when they play in dirt. Even fresh snow cones or other snow treats should not be harmful if, like other desserts, they are enjoyed in moderation. Read more: Is Eating Snow Safe? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5513100_ea...#ixzz2JNFLRNVu Read more: Is Eating Snow Safe? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5513100_ea...#ixzz2JNF5fpjt

Thanks for that info - helpful & makes me happy to know as I let my kids play in dirt all summer.

The only reason I avoid the snow eating is the HUGE number of dogs that do their business on our side/front yard, and the rabbit/cat droppings that are scattered throughout our hedged-in backyard. Otherwise I wouldn't care, but my 1 & 2yr olds just aren't old enough/aware enough to notice if they scoop something gross in a mouthful.

[PBAki]

Snow...dirt...it's not going to kill them

[ajane]

Originally Posted by DalesWidda oh my gosh, I was starting to think I was weird.

Did you read the link provided by Joyful Tie Dyes? It isn't a big deal if kids eat snow.

Taken from the link:

The amount of bacteria in snow is comparable to the amount of bacteria children are exposed to when they play in dirt.

Making a meal out of snow exposes you to excessive bacteria and potential hazards. Consumed in large quantities, snow can drop your core body temperature. Snow caught from the sky should not harm a child. Even fresh snow cones or other snow treats should not be harmful if, like other desserts, they are enjoyed in moderation.

[allisonmartin]

Yep and we make snow ice cream too.

[Kiliki]

Originally Posted by PBAki Snow...dirt...it's not going to kill them

yup.

I would totally let my kids eat "clean" snow if we lived somewhere where it snows.

I remember eating it as a kid when we went to the mountains to see snow.

[syfitz]

Depends. When we go to upstate NY where the fresh snow is 5 ft. deep and untouched way out in the country where I'm from. Sure. When we get a couple of inches in our NC yard where our dog and chickens wander. No way!

[mmmom]

I discourage it if I can, however what they do at school is out of my control.

[DalesWidda]

Originally Posted by ajane Did you read the link provided by Joyful Tie Dyes? It isn't a big deal if kids eat snow. Taken from the link: The amount of bacteria in snow is comparable to the amount of bacteria children are exposed to when they play in dirt. Making a meal out of snow exposes you to excessive bacteria and potential hazards. Consumed in large quantities, snow can drop your core body temperature. Snow caught from the sky should not harm a child. Even fresh snow cones or other snow treats should not be harmful if, like other desserts, they are enjoyed in moderation.

ahh, no didn't read the whole thing LOL. Good to know. My kids have caught the occasional snowflake on their tongues. I've always discouraged them from eating it from the ground.