Winter Sports Safety (Fact Sheet)

2005
ISBN: 0-662-68855-4
Cat. No.: H46-2/05-405

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as PDF, MP3 and WAV files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

(111K)

Make sure your children are safe when they toboggan and skate.

Children can strangle on a cord or scarf.
Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf.
Take the cords and drawstrings off their clothes.

• Keep children warm. Dress your children in layers. Make sure their heads and necks are covered by a hat and a neck warmer. Watch for frostbite!
• On sunny days, put sunscreen on their skin.
• Check your children's equipment to make sure that it fits and is in good condition.

When tobogganing or sledding:

• Make sure your children wear a helmet.
• Choose a hill that is away from roads and parking lots. There should be no rocks, trees, fences or other dangers in the path.
• Teach your children to slide down the middle of the hill, climb up the side and watch up the hill.
• Teach them to move out of the way quickly when they get to the bottom.

When skating:

• Children should wear a helmet.
• If you skate on lakes or rivers make sure the ice is smooth and at least 10 centimetres or 4 inches thick. Never skate near open water.
• Children should skate in the same direction and at the same speed as the crowd.
• Skaters who cannot keep up with the crowd should move to the side.
• When playing hockey, only wear a CSA-certified helmet. Replace hockey helmets at least every 5 years.

For more information contact Product Safety, Health Canada.