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Winter sports are meant to be fun and exhilarating but can quickly turn disastrous when the basic rules of safety are forgotten. Every year serious accidents occur on toboggan hills and skating rinks for this very reason. Many of these accidents can be prevented if proper safety precautions are taken.
“ Winter offers an abundance of fun outdoor activities. Skating and tobogganing are a few of the many options for kids and adults alike. And, just like any activity, it’s very important that you take all the proper precautions to make sure everyone stays safe,” says Tony Irwin, of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada.
When getting ready to go tobogganing or skating with your friends or family, Allstate Canada offers the following tips to help you stay safe:
Tobogganing or sledding, think with your head…
• Use your head, wear a helmet!
• Bundle up – layers are best.
• Kneeling is the safest position on a toboggan.
• Ensure the hill is away from roads and parking lots.
• Make sure there are no trees, rocks or other dangers in the path.
• Slide down the middle of the hill and climb up the sides.
• Move out of the way once you reach the bottom of the hill.
Skating
• Ensure skates fit properly and are tied tightly to avoid tripping.
• Make sure the ice is smooth and at least 10 cm (or four inches) thick if you skate on lakes or rivers.
• Never skate near open water.
• Always skate in the same direction as the crowd.
For more information about winter activity safety tips, or to speak with Allstate Canada representative Tony Irwin, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please feel free to contact:
Karen Nussbaum
Thornley Fallis Communications
Nussbaum@thornleyfallis.com
