A Slippery Slope
Written by Shawn Ruest on 12/01/12
Photo by Chuckles_hp19 on Flickr
It’s winter and we’re finally able to enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tobogganing, tubing, ice fishing and many more. But, before you hit the slopes and lakes and rivers this winter, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure your adventures are memorable ones.
Recently, a man was killed in an accident on a ski mountain resort in BC. The group was on a closed ski hill late at night tubing when one of them crash into a wooden pole at the bottom of the hill (CBC News). This tragic accident reminds us that skiing, sledding, snowboarding or tubing is dangerous at night because we can’t see where we are going. Make sure to do these activities on a designated hill (one that is supervised or a community hill that you are allowed to use on your own) during business and/or daylight hours. For more safety tips, check out the Canada Safety Council’s ski, snowboard, sled and toboggan pages.
If you are going to be ice fishing or hanging out in an ice shack, a hill isn’t what you’re going to be worried about. However, there are still some safety concerns to consider. Parks Canada reminds us to check the ice a few times before you walk or drive on it. Be sure to know your local by-laws regarding how large your shack can be and what type of heat sources you are allowed to use. Also, if a person is under the influence of alcohol while on a frozen body of water, they wouldn’t be able to react quickly to help someone who has fallen through and to drive to get help if necessary. For more tips on how to have a safe ice adventure, check out the Government of Ontario page on Ice safety.
Be safe in any winter activity you choose to participate in. Enjoy!
Links
A Cold Reception – DEAL.org
Calgary man dies in sliding incident at B.C. ski resort – CBC News
Safety on the Slopes – Canada Safety Council
Sled Safety 101 – Canada Safety Council
Skating on Ponds, Lakes and Rivers – Parks Canada
Stay Safe – Ontario
One Reader Comment:
Jaime HerreraJanuary 26th
People should be aware of the safety concerns before attending to such winter activities. Taking the necessary precautions will minimize chances for accidents to occur. Be safe out there!