The winter months can be a very nice time of year to spend outdoors enjoying many different types of sports and cold weather activities. However, it is important to remember that cold weather activities can pose certain risks. Here are some of the most common winter activities that can cause injuries and ways to avoid these mishaps:
Walking on slippery surfaces – the most common injuries are slips and falls which can lead to broken bones, sprained muscles and back injuries. Ways to avoid these injuries include:
- Taking short steps
- Walking slowly
- Bending knees slightly when walking
- Holding on to a railing when possible
- Keeping your hands at your sides
Shoveling snow – when not done properly can lead to injuries of the back, neck, ankles, knees, wrists. and shoulders. Ways to avoid these injuries includes:
- Warming up your muscles before starting to shovel by stretching
- Bending at the knees
- Keeping your back straight
- Pushing snow instead of lifting when possible
- Taking frequent breaks
Frostbite – this can occur if you are outdoors for prolonged periods without proper clothing for protection. Signs of frostbite are numbness and change in skin color. Ways to avoid frostbite include:
- Wearing gloves, hats, heavy socks
- Dressing in layers
- Avoiding going outdoors when wet
Participating in winter sports – activities such as ice skating, sledding, skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey and snowmobiling look like fun and they can be when practiced safely. However, accidents can occur when proper precautions are not taken. Some of these precautions include:
- Making sure the ice on a pond or a lake is thick enough for the chosen activity
- Wearing a helmet is important to avoid head injuries
- Making sure there is someone supervising children or inexperienced adults
- Avoiding courses with obstacles especially when skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and ice skating
- Taking lessons first if you have never participated in an activity
- Wearing proper safety gear especially on knees and elbows in case of a fall
It is important to never participate in any winter sporting activity alone, especially where the risks of injury are high.
Outdoor winter activities often look easier than they actually are. Taking precautions, will help to keep you safe from serious injuries.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.