March Break is a time for kids to relax and have some fun, and is a great opportunity to take advantage of winter activities before the season is over.  Health advocates encourage youth to get at least 90 minutes of physical activity each day.  There are plenty of activities for kids to do in a day that can easily meet this standard, many of which also provide the three types of exercise:  endurance, flexibility and strengthening.  Winter activities are fun for both children and adults, but some basic precautions should be considered in order to keep safe while having fun. 

Tobogganing is an activity most children love, but as much as each of us can fondly remember enjoying it, it is likely you can think of someone you know of who has been hurt doing it.  Some obvious risks include rocks, trees and other people that can be on the hill, as well as waterways and roadways that may be at the bottom.  Kids should be reminded to never go down head-first, and encouraged to wear a ski helmet.  Helmets are also important for skating and especially hockey, although children are typically safer than adult hockey players because they actually wear the proper safety equipment for the sport.  Arena rinks are obviously the safest ice surfaces to use, and outdoor ponds should be used only when a competent adult ensures the ice is safe.  Cross-country skiing, curling, and snowshoeing are all excellent exercise, and have relatively minimal risks if performed responsibly. 

We live in the best area in the province for skiing and snowboarding, both of which are popular March Break activities.  As I have described in previous articles, skiing injuries most commonly affect the leg, and especially the knee, while snowboarders most often injure the arms and shoulders.  Wrist guards are a smart idea for snowboarders, and ski and boarding lessons teach proper skills, including how to fall safely.   Both of these snow sports share the risk of head injuries due to speeds reached on hard-pack snow, making helmets an important piece of equipment.

Helmets today are lightweight, comfortable and aerodynamically-designed, and should be considered essential equipment for speedier activities like boarding, skating, tobogganing or snowmobiling.  Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury from a fall by more than 30 per cent.  In skiing specifically, helmets have been shown to reduce the severity of head injuries in kids by 53 per cent.  Fit is important, and a helmet should be snug, level and stable.  Ski and snowboard helmets are designed to cover more of the back of the head than bike helmets, so they should not be substituted.  It is also important to know that, unlike multiple-impact hockey helmets, snow sport helmets are only designed to protect against a single impact, and must be replaced after a severe fall, even if they appear undamaged.

Whatever activities you choose to spend your March Break doing, try to take advantage of the season and the resources we have in the area. Besides the physical benefits, exercise is a good social outlet, helps decrease stress, and increases relaxation and physical self-esteem. Physical activity is important for all ages, and exercise habits formed in childhood are likely to become life-long habits.