Winter safety: Advice for parents and kids

Skating

• Always wear a properly fitted, CSA approved hockey helmet while skating. Ski/snowboard and bike helmets are unsuitable since most are designed to protect you against a single crash and must then be replaced.
• Skates should be comfortable, with good ankle support to avoid twists, sprains or breaks.
• Whenever possible, skate on public indoor or outdoor rinks.
• Obey all signs posted on or near the ice. Yellow signs usually mean skate with caution, and red usually means no skating allowed.
• Never assume it’s safe to skate on a lake or pond. An adult should make sure the ice is at least 10 cm (4”) thick for skating alone or 20 cm (8”) for skating parties or games. Do not walk on ice near moving water. Ice formed on moving water, such as rivers and creeks, may not be thick enough to be safe.

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