Outdoor Cold Stress and Cold Risk for Children during Winter: A Study in China’s Severe Cold Regions

Abstract

This study uses the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) and whole-body and local cooling assessment to determine the thermal benchmarks and cold risk for children in China’s severe cold regions. The relevant measurements and survey were conducted in four open spaces at a children’s park in Harbin, China. The findings of the study are as follows: (1) In winter, solar radiation and global temperature affects winter thermal sensation in male and female children the most. (2) Female children have a lower neutral UTCI (6.0 °C) than male children (7.3 °C), and female children have lower upper and lower thresholds of the neutral UTCI range (−1.3–13.4 °C) than male children (0.6–14.1 °C). (3) Children who engaged in light-intensity activities, were exposed to cold winds, and touched cold surfaces with their bare fingers are at risk of whole-body and local cooling. (4) Children prefer exercising (PFemale = 35.5%, PMale = 48.3%) and moving to sunshine for thermal adaptation (PFemale = 31.1%, PMale = 26.4%). (5) Winter travel guidelines, cold-risk-prevention measures, and safety guidelines for winter outdoor activities are proposed. The results provide references for the design of open spaces in urban parks in China’s severe cold regions.