One of the best ways to be happy and healthy through a long Thunder Bay winter is to embrace the great outdoors. Playing hockey, skating, skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, or just walking through the snow can make the cold winter months fly by quickly, and are great ways to fight the winter blahs and stay fit.
Understand the Risks
Winter activities, though fun and energizing, aren’t without hazards. For this reason, it pays to understand and respect the potential risks involved with each activity.
- Know your limits. Rest if you are tired and go inside if you are cold.
- Teach children the signs and symptoms of Frostbite and the importance of dressing warmly.
- Sunscreen (with minimum SPF of 15) is required even in the winter, as up to 50% of the sun's harmful UVB radiations bounce back from snow.
- Wear the Gear to help prevent injuries
Correct Gear is Important
Prevent injuries by wearing the correct gear. Helmets are essential safety gear when skiing and snowboarding as they greatly reduce the chances of head injury. In addition to helmets, goggles, knee pads and elbow pads are also recommended.
- Use a helmet that is specifically made for skiing or snowboarding and meets industry standards.
- Look for helmets with the following certifications: CEN, ASTM, ASTM F2040, and Snell RS-98 for recreational skiing or S-98 for snow sports.
- Consult a knowledgeable salesperson at a reputable store to find a helmet that fits you well and allows you to get your questions answered.
- Ensure Proper fitting of your winter sports helmet
Learn more about Wearing the Gear for Specific Winter Sports
For more information, check out these sites:
Lids on Kids
Plan it Safe
SMARTRISK
ThinkFirst Canada