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78 – Ice Skating -Safety and Precautions!
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler
MAKE sure you always wear a hockey or ski HELMET while skating!
Make sure your skates are comfortable, with good ankle support, to avoid twists, sprains or breaks.
Whenever possible, skate on PUBLIC indoor or outdoor rinks. If this is not possible, children should remember to obey all signs posted on or near the ice. YELLOW signs usually mean skate WITH caution, and RED usually means NO skating allowed!
Make sure children are ALWAYS supervised on the ice (indoors or outdoors)!
Always skate WITHIN your ability.
A skating center is BEST for skating because the surface is well maintained!
When you skate OUTDOORS, check the surface. Any small rock, pothole or crack could cause you to lose your balance and fall.
Check your skates before skating!
Skate at safe and comfortable speeds!
When skating INDOORS, keep in mind that others have varying abilities of expertise. Skating INTO people can cause serious injury!
Most injuries occur because skaters don't know how to FALL properly! Skating lessons teach you how to fall safely!
Buy high-quality skates. They will withstand wear and tear, and are less likely to fall apart and cause injury!
Wear full protective gear. (helmets, knee and elbow pads and wrist protectors) when skating outdoors. The gear is OPTIONAL when skating indoors at a skating center because risk of injury is reduced due in part to the skating surface being smooth and well-maintained and because discipline is enforced!
When skating outdoors, obey all traffic and safety rules and be courteous to pedestrians!
NEVER assume it’s safe to skate on a lake or pond. Make sure the ice is at least 20 cm (eight inches) thick, and check with local weather authorities for information about ice thickness.
AVOID walking on ice near moving water. Ice formed on moving water, such as rivers and creeks, will VARY in thickness and is highly unpredictable.
Skaters should focus on;
-- Forward gliding while looking ahead and keeping their knees bent!
-- Safely stopping!
-- Keeping a safe space between themselves and other skaters!
While OUTDOOR Skating;
-- Whenever possible, skate on an approved outdoor skating rink
-- Ask the local police or parks department to check the ice thickness of any frozen pond, lake, creek, river, or other outdoor surface you plan to skate on!
-- The ice should be sufficiently thick to safely support you (20 centimters or 8 inches thick)!
-- Never walk on a frozen surface that has NOT been tested!
-- Never skate alone!
-- Dress warmly, with warm socks, gloves or mittens, neck warmers, hats, snow pants, and waterproof jackets.