Ice Skates, Sleds and Toboggans

Ice skating, sledding, and tobogganing are fun ways to stay active during our cold Canadian winters. But you and any children in your care can be seriously injured if you fall and hit your head, run into an object or another person, or fall through ice into open water.

To avoid getting hurt, take these safety precautions.

Safety Tips

Injuries from winter activities can be prevented by following these tips:

• Check equipment each season to make sure it still fits and is in good condition.
• Wear proper safety gear, especially a helmet. For hockey, the helmet should be CSA-certified and replaced every 5 years.
• Don't sled near roads, parking lots, rocks, trees or fences.
• Never skate near open water. Make sure ice is at least 10 centimetres (4 inches) thick.
• Dress children warmly and in layers. Watch for frostbite on cold days.
• Put sunscreen on exposed skin.
• Children can strangle on cords, drawstrings and scarves. Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf, and remove drawstrings and cords from clothing.

For More Information

Winter and Sports Safety

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

• Safe Winter Fun
  Find out how to stay safe this winter, with these tips on flu, eating well, travel, and more.
• Winter Sports Safety
  More safety tips in a fact sheet format you can print or order online.
•  Injuries Associated with Ice and Snow Sports and Activities (PDF Version - 90 K)
  The Public Health Agency of Canada's 2002 report on injuries related to winter sports.
• Face Protectors and Hockey Helmets
  Learn more about how to safely use face protectors and hockey helmets.
• Recreational and Sports Products
  Learn safety tips about a variety of summer and winter sports equipment.

Consumer Product Safety

• Is Your Child Safe?
  A guide to help parents keep their children safe and avoid common childhood hazards.
• Safety with Radar
  An activity booklet for children, highlighting key safety messages.
• Second-hand Products and Garage Sale Safety
  Avoid danger and legal issues when buying and selling second-hand products.
•  Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan
  Learn what the federal government is doing to make the products you buy safer.

Additional Resources

• Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
• Report an Unsafe Product
• Contact the Product Safety Office Nearest You
• Subscribe to Consumer Product Safety News
• Publications for Consumer Education
• Legislation and Guidelines
• For Industry and Professionals