Safety Tips for Winter Sports

Millions of people every year enjoy winter sports, unfortunately far too many of them will end up in the emergency room with injuries. Some basic safety tips for winter sports can minimize the chance of injury. Winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, hockey, ice skating, and sledding all require a little planning and care to ensure a safe fun adventure.

Basic Tips for All Winter Sports

Sunscreen and sunglasses or polarized goggles are a must. Even on cloudy days the strength of sunlight reflected off snow can be damaging to eyes and skin. Wear several layers of lightweight water resistant clothing so you can remove layers if you become too warm. Always warm up and stretch before sports to avoid injuries to joints. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after winter sports. You can easily become dehydrated from sweating or from breathing dry air. You may not realize how much you are sweating because of the cold weather. Always allow at least a day to adjust to altitude if necessary. Never participate in winter sports alone or without at least discussing detailed plans with someone who could initiate a rescue if necessary.

Skiing and Snowboarding Safety Tips

For beginners a few lessons with a professional instructor will provide a lot of basic information that is necessary for safety. This basic safety training should include learning how to fall properly and the proper way to get on and off lifts. Many injuries occur as people try to awkwardly maintain their balance instead of just falling. Beginners and children should also use helmets for these sports. Closely examine and test all equipment before every use and make sure all equipment in properly sized. When skiing do not attempt a run that is beyond you skill level and always pay attention to trail and run markings.

Sledding, Tubing, or Tobogganing

You should use only well cleared areas away from any fixed obstacles like trees, houses, or signs. Never go down a slope that ends near traffic or a water source. You should always face forward and have a steering mechanism and never slide head first. Children should wear helmets and use only real sleds. Do not use any flimsy slippery material that could be pierced by debris as you slide.

Ice Skating and Hockey

Beginning ice skaters should wear helmets. Helmets and pads should always be used for ice hockey, particularly when using real sticks and a real puck. You should never ice skate or play hockey on a frozen lake or pond unless you are sure it is very shallow and completely frozen. Always wear the proper size well sharpened skates with ankle support and learn how to fall properly. Without full pads and a helmet hockey should not be a contact sport. Thousands of kids visit the emergency room every year for injuries from hockey checks without pads. The force of two kids running into each other or the rink boundaries at skating speed can be enough to break bones or cause other serious injury.

Winter can one of the most enjoyable times of the year. Many winter sports can be great fun. By following a few simple safety tips everyone can have a healthy enjoyable experience. Basic safety tips for winter sports can help avoid injuries and trips to the emergency room.

Sources:

http://www.kidscantravel.com/tipstravelkids/travelhealth/winterhealthtips/index.html

http://www.ohsonline.com/Articles/2009/01/03/3-AANS-Offers-Winter-Sports-Safety-Tips.aspx

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/get-healthy/outdoor-fitness/9-safety-tips-for-winter-sports