Winter Safety: Outdoors in Nature

While winter can be bitterly cold, the season offers some unique outdoor activities such as skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling and tobogganing. Let’s look at some tips to stay safe while participating in outdoor activities this winter.

For skiing and snowboarding, there are a few essential items to wear to stay safe:

• A helmet is essential when hitting the slopes. Whenever skiing or snowboarding, there is a good chance of falling, and it is crucial to protect your head in case of an accident. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of concussion and other head-related injuries.
• Goggles are needed when out on the mountain. Whether it may be sunshine reflecting brightly off the white snow or snow falling naturally or by machine, goggles will help protect your eyes from UV rays or particles flying toward your face.
• Proper boots, bindings and equipment are important. Using skiing and snowboarding equipment that isn’t calibrated for your body can cause more discomfort, more frequent falls and possibly injury

In many locations where the snow is plentiful throughout the winter season, snowmobiling is a popular activity. To stay safe while plowing through the snow, follow these tips:

• Navigate at a proper speed. Speeding through the snow at more than 40 mph with a snowmobile increases the chance of a severe accident. It’s crucial to take it slower, especially at night when visibility is reduced.
• Stay on trails to avoid accidents and trespassing. Riding on private property off-trail is likely not only be illegal, but the snow may hide objects that cannot be seen and can cause an accident if struck.
• Try to avoid riding on ice as a catastrophe can occur if the snowmobile falls through thin ice. Whenever riding on ice, make sure to wear a lifejacket in case you fall in the frigid waters.

If there are sustained periods of below-freezing temperatures, ice skating or hockey outdoors may be an option. In order to be safe, make sure to:

• Use maintained locations when available. In cold enough communities, there may be a local pond or outdoor ice surface overlooked by professionals. Skating on these surfaces are usually safer than a local, private location.
• Make sure the ice is thick enough to support yourself. Measure the ice in several locations and make sure it is at least 4 inches thick to support human weight.
• Bring emergency equipment such as lifejackets, ropes and ice picks in case you fall through the ice.

An all-time favorite winter activity is sledding or tobogganing. In order to enjoy this fun winter activity, follow these tips:

• Choose a proper location to sled. Make sure the hill isn’t too steep, nor too icy, to avoid accidents and possible injury. Having a long runoff area is necessary to stop safely after catching speed downhill.
• Go before it gets dark. Sledding after dark can be dangerous with reduced visibility and possible frigid temperatures.

Finally, for all outdoor winter activities, there are a couple tips that should always be followed:

• Dress properly for the weather. Winter can bring dangerously frigid wind chills that may cause frostbite if proper attire isn’t worn. Layers are important and make sure to wear a hat and gloves.
• Wear sunscreen. The sun, although not the strongest in the winter, can reflect off the snow and cause sunburn if unprotected. Protecting your skin is important to reduce risk of having skin cancer in the future.

Following these few simple tips for your outdoor activities will make sure you are safe while enjoying the outdoors this winter season.

Sources: dnr.state.mn.us, myhealth.alberta.ca, ibc.ca

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Story Image: Skiing is a popular winter sport (pixabay.com).