Don’t Let Safety Slip Away When Ice-Skating

The winter months give us plenty of opportunities to try fun sports such as skiing, sledding, snowboarding and the long standing family classic, ice-skating. But like any winter activity, kids and parents need to be aware of potential for injuries. According to statistics from the Safe Kids Campaign, as many as 16,000 children are injured in ice-skating related accidents. But you can keep the experience enjoyable and avoid the emergency room by taking the proper precautions when on the ice. The National Safety Council offers some great advice for you to carry along:

• Always wear properly fitting skates. They should feel comfortable and provide good ankle support.
• If you own skates, have the blades professionally sharpened at the start of each season.
• Skate only on specially designated skating areas where you are certain the ice is strong enough to support your weight—an ice rink is always safer than a pond for skating.
• Always wear warm clothing and rest when you feel tired or cold.
• Never skate alone.

So whether ice-skating with kids and family, or playing ice hockey with friends, safety should always be a primary concern. Following these tips will help to ensure that your cold-weather activities stay fun. Check out Kid’s Health for more advice on keeping safe while playing outside this winter.