Snow-related death

Any time a child was in the news in a negative way, I felt sad. However, I never felt it as poignantly as I have since having children of my own. Every horrible story jars me, every headline makes me feel it on a personal level, every child tragedy makes me realize how true that old “there but for the grace of God…” phrase is.

We got pelted with massive amounts of snow across Ontario, Quebec, and parts of the Maritimes up here over the weekend and Monday. While many of us hate the snow, most kids old enough to maneuver in their snowsuits love it. What kid doesn’t enjoy fresh piles of snow?

A seven year old girl in Levis, Quebec – only a few hours from me – died on Monday because of the snow. She was outside in her front yard and was trying to dig a tunnel in one of the snowbanks. The snow got piled so high after plows passed that of course they’re enticing to a young kid. She was digging and was in the hole head-first when the weight of the snow caused the entire thing to collapse on top of her. She suffocated because she wasn’t strong enough to get herself out.

I can’t even begin to imagine the horror and the guilt and the overwhelming grief her parents are going through. Her father found her but it was too late and I hope I never ever have to be in a situation like that because I honestly don’t know how you survive that.

Think good thoughts for the family. In the meantime, if you live in a high-snow area, it would be worth your time to talk to your kids about snow safety. It’s not a frequent occurrence but it would still be safest to only let your kids dig and play in snow tunnels in the presence of an adult. I know that when I was a kid, we often built snow forts but we weren’t allowed to make tunnels (other than very short and shallow ones in the entrance to the fort) or caves unless a parent was with us.