10 Tips for Winter Sports Safety

When the temperatures get low and snow starts falling, a lot of people get excited at the prospect of playing winter sports. This includes plenty of young children who enjoy the thrills that come with skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, sledding, and tobogganing – sports and activities that for many people in New Jersey and elsewhere in the country are typically limited to the wintertime.

The problem is that winter sports also pose significant safety risks. According to data compiled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 250,000 people required medical treatment at hospitals and emergency rooms as a result of injuries sustained while playing winter sports in 2015.

Staying Safe While Playing Winters Sports in New Jersey

Despite the possibility of concussions, broken bones, dislocations, sprains, muscle tears, and lacerations, the allure of winter sports often proves too strong to deter New Jersey residents from hitting the slopes or the rinks in the winter. That’s why it is crucial that anyone thinking about participating in activities on snow or ice exercise caution and take measures to protect themselves against serious injury.

Here are a few tips to remain safe while playing winter sports:

1. Come prepared. Bring a first aid kit and a fully charged cell phone with you to the ski slopes or ice rink.
2. Don’t do it alone. Always try to play winter sports with other people. That way, if you do suffer an injury, you will be able to get immediate assistance.
3. Warm up and stretch prior to playing. If your muscles are cold before you start playing in frigid conditions, you will be more prone to injury. So make sure to stretch your arms and legs prior to starting.
4. Wear protective gear. Padding is your friend in the winter, especially if you fall down. Additionally, a helmet can protect you against suffering a serious head injury, such as a concussion. Even if you are not playing a contact sport, it is important for you to protect your head because it is very easy to slip and fall while playing on snow or ice.
5. Weather appropriate winter clothing. In addition to wearing protective gear, you should make sure that you wear enough clothing so that you can keep warm in the extreme cold. However, since sweat can cause dampness and result in lower body temperatures, make sure you have layers that you can easily remove.
6. Stay hydrated. Cold air can result in dehydration, so bring a water bottle with you and drink plenty of water while playing sports in the winter.
7. Don’t push yourself too hard. If you find yourself struggling to catch your breath, maintain your balance, or stay upright while skiing, skating, or doing any other winter sports-related activity, take a break. It is imperative that you know your limits when playing a winter sport.
8. Learn to fall. Whether you’re skiing or skating, it is inevitable that you will fall down at some point. You need to know how to fall properly so that you don’t land on the wrong part of your body and cause serious injury.
9. Respect the rules. Adhere to the site rules at all times while playing a winter sport. For instance, if you are skiing, remain within the boundaries that have been marked on the slopes.
10. Get immediate medical attention if you suffer an injury.

Some sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, can result in high-speed collisions and are therefore more dangerous than others. Depending on your winter activity of choice, it is important that you follow as many of these safety tips as possible.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury while playing a winter sport in New Jersey, you should talk to an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. NJ personal injury victims have been relying upon the expertise of lawyers at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. for more than 70 years. We have vast experience helping victims who have been injured as a result of another person’s negligence. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.