​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Getting outside in the winter is a great way to be active. You can play outside or try activities like sledding and tobogganing, skating, ice hockey, downhill skiing, and snowboarding.

To lower the risk of you, your child, or someone else getting hurt when you're doing activities outside in the winter:

• Check the weather. Stay indoors if the temperature or wind chill falls below -25°C (-13°F). At this temperature, exposed skin can freeze in a few minutes.
• Know the signs of frostnip, frostbite, and hypothermia.​
  
• Do winter sports in a safe area.
  
• Check your equipment to make sure it is in good shape.
  
• Wear the right protective gear and clothing for the activity​​.
  
• Learn how to do the activity safely.
• Never do winter activities alone.

​​​​​​​​Winter activities such as sledding and tobogganing can be fun for the whole family. Fo​llow these tips to help you, your child, and others stay safe.

• Always go sledding with young children and watch over them closely.
• Don’t let young children go down the hill alone. If your child is 5 years old or younger, a responsible adult should be with them on the sled.

• Check the temperature before you go. Only go sledding when the temperature is warmer than -19˚C. Think about the wind chill factor because wind chill makes it feel colder.
• Choose hills with a gentle slope and a long, clear run-off area.
• Choose snowy hills. Stay away from icy hills and don’t sled on ice-covered rivers, streams, or ponds.
• Look for any nearby dangers, like trees and water.
• Stay away from roads, rivers, railway tracks, and parking lots.
• Only go sledding in the daylight on hills that are well-lit. Don’t go sledding at night.

• Sit up or kneel on the sled when you go down the hill.
  
• Don’t go down the hill head first or flat on your back. It’s easier to hurt your head or spine in these positions.
  
• Keep your arms and legs inside and on the sled.
• Slide down the middle of the hill.
• When you get to the bottom of the hill, move quickly out of the way, and walk up the side of the hill away from others. Teach your child to do this before they start sledding.
  
• If your child falls or crashes, watch them for signs of a concussion. A concussion is a brain injury that can be caused by a blow to the head, face, neck, or body.

• Check the sled to make sure it’s in good shape before you use it.
• Don’t go down hills on plastic discs or inner tubes. They aren’t safe because they’re hard to control.
  
• Wear a ski, snowboard, or hockey type helmet. If possible, wear a ski helmet because they’re made for cold weather and for falls and speeds that are similar to sledding and tobogganing.
  
• Dress in warm layers including:
  • mittens instead of gloves
  • warm, dry, waterproof boots that aren’t too tight
  • a neck warmer instead of scarf (scarves, hoods, and drawstrings can get caught on things and strangle a child)
    
  • clothes without drawstrings
  • a hat that keeps ears covered (children under 3 need to wear a hat because they lose heat quickly from their head)
    
• Tell your child how important it is to dress warmly and teach them about frostbite​. Take off wet clothes and boots when you’re done.​​​​
  

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Ice skating and ice hockey are popular activities.​ There are things you or your child can do to lower the risk of getting hurt while skating or playing ice hockey.

• Before walking or skating on ice, check that the ice is smooth and at least 15 cm (6 in.) thick.
• If you’re having a skating party or playing games (including hockey), make sure the ice is at least 20 cm (8 in.) thick.
• Check for hazards like pebbles, rocks, and branches.
• Check that the ice is in good shape without any bumps or melting or slushy ice.
  
• Only skate on ice that is monitored and maintained.
  
• Don't let your child skate alone or skate anywhere that isn't safe.
  
• Always supervise your child or skate with them.
  

• Take hockey skills training (such as workshops or power skating classes) and skating lessons to learn how to stop, how to fall safely, and how to get up after a fall.
  
• Skate with your head up to prevent an injury, especially when you’re heading towards the boards.
• Warm up and stretch before you skate, practise, or play hockey. It’s also important to cool down and stretch afterwards. Stay in shape by doing strength, flexibility, and endurance training all year.
• Help your child learn to play hockey by the rules.
• Bodychecking is the main cause of injuries, like concussions, in hockey. The Canadian Paediatric Society says children shouldn’t play in leagues that allow bodychecking.
• Learn the signs of a concussion in case of a fall or crash on the ice. A concussion is a brain injury that can be caused by a blow to the head, face, neck, or body.