There are many recreational activities to participate in during the winter season, including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating and more. Unfortunately, treacherous winter weather and the nature of some of these activities results in the risk of injuries among adults and young children alike.
In 2013, more than 47,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to sledding, ice skating and snowboarding. What’s perhaps more surprising is that the majority of these winter sports injuries could have been prevented.
Safety Tips for Preventing Winter Sports Injuries
There are a number of simple safety tips you can put into action to help prevent winter sports injuries during this winter season.
Utilize Proper Safety Equipment
When it comes to participating in winter sports, make sure you and your kids are equipped with the proper safety gear. This may include shin guards, mouth guards, wrist guards and more. Helmets are incredibly important when skiing, snowboarding or playing ice hockey. They can be instrumental when it comes to preventing serious head injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is something most people consider during the summertime when the weather is hot. However, it’s important to realize that staying hydrated is just as important during the winter. Winter sports and recreational activities can be strenuous and you and your kids can become dehydrated if you are active for long periods of time. Make sure to hydrate before you head out the door to play in the snow and throughout the period that you are active. Keep in mind that compared to adults, children are at increased risk of dehydration.
Wear Warm Clothing
It can be hard to dress appropriately for winter sports and activities. The temperatures are cold, but being active can make you warm and sweaty. As a result, it’s important to dress in layers when you’re heading out to participate in recreational activities during the winter. You’ll want to be sure you and your kids are warm enough when you head out, but are able to remove layers in order to regulate your body temperature. Sweating helps to cool you down, but staying out for too long in damp clothing can lead to hypothermia so wearing layers is imperative!
Use Sunscreen
Sun protection is another thing that most people consider during the summer, but it’s also incredibly important when spending time outdoors during the winter. Even in cold temperatures, it’s possible to be overexposed to sunlight. In fact, sunburns are quite common when it comes to skiing and snowboarding. On sunny days, the sun reflects off of the snow and ice, making it even easier to get sunburned. Make sure to apply sunscreen to the exposed parts of your body every few hours when you are participating in winter sports and outdoor activities.
Injured While Participating in Winter Sports? Contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at Maynard Injury Law.
It can be hard to know whether or not to contact a personal injury lawyer if you’ve sustained a sports injury. However, if you’ve sustained a winter sports injury and you feel someone else may be at fault, you may have a personal injury case on your hands. In this case, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately to ensure that your rights are protected.
The award winning team of personal injury attorneys at Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto is experienced in handling personal injury cases of all kinds – including those that result from participation in winter sports and outdoor activities. Our lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to get you the compensation you deserve, having successfully represented hundreds of clients in Albany, Johnstown, Saugerties, Amsterdam, Catskill, Gloversville, Hudson and throughout the Capital District.
If you are suffering from winter sports injuries you’ve sustained as the result of another individual’s negligence and you are interested in seeking compensation, contact us today for a free consultation. Give us a call at (800) 721-3553 or fill out our online form to request your free case review.
Related Resources:
When Should You Call a Sports Injury Attorney? – Because sports often put us at increased risk for injury, it’s sometimes challenging to know when it’s the right time to call a sports injury attorney. Find out when it’s feasible to pursue compensation for an injury sustained while you were participating in a recreational activity.
Understanding Assumed Risk – Find out how the assumed risk associated with some recreational activities, including winter activities like skiing and snowboarding, can impact your ability to pursue compensation if you are injured.
ATV Safety and New York State ATV Laws – Another common recreational activity among outdoor enthusiasts in our region is ATV riding. Learn about ATV laws in New York and find out what to do if you’re injured while riding.
Editor’s Note: This content was originally published in 2015 but has been updated as of January 2018.
