by Marcus Brooks

Created on: November 26, 2008

With December approaching, Old Man Winter is ready to kick off a season of blizzards and Arctic blasts. There are countless Americans retreating to the warmth beaches of Florida, California, Texas and Hawaii. Just because it's getting cold, there's no room for fun. Unlikely.

In the Midwest, we know how to enjoy the cold. Kids, teens and adults build ice forts and toss snowballs one other. Also, don't forget the legions of snowmen wearing stove hats with tobacco-smoking pipes in their mouths. They stand from morning, noon and night as reminder of a winter wonderlands and that the cold can be fun.

However, another more exciting activity is taking place at 0 degrees fahrenheit. Recreational ice skating is growing into a worldwide activity. It isn't only for Winter Olympic hopefuls anymore. Anyone can imagine themselves as Apollo Okno, Tara Lipinski, Nancy Kerrigan or Tonya Harding (with a lead pipe in tow). Central Park and Lake Placid (N.Y.), the Great Lakes regions (Tri-State area) and other vacation spots will be populated by thousands of winter enthusiasists. But, who wants to spend thousands of dollars just to do "circle 8s" in Aspen or Big Bear.

You can whisk away in the cold breeze on any pond or frozen river. You can even find a public, skating rink and do your double loops and routines for only $5 a day. Also, some rinks offer skates to rent. But, you're better off to purchase brand-new ones or some gently-used blades at a Play It Again Sports store in your town or online.

But, with being cheap comes an absence of safety and security. If you want to enjoy skating alone safely, here are some tips to make sure you come back home alive.

1) Be wary before stepping out to skate a pond. Even at below zero, a pond may not be all the way frozen. Watch carefully for soft spots. If you spot one, know there are many more unseen. The unseen ones can break and send you to a chilly, watery grave.

2) Use the buddy system. Try to take, at least, one person with you. Just in case of an emergency, they can call for help or help you directly.

3) Stay close to the shore. Never go out skating on unfamiliar ice and stay in the middle. If you fall in, you want as short a swim to the shore as possible. This avoid sinking into currents.

4) Know the basic rules of safety first. If you can't swim, understand how to "tread" water. Treading water keeps you from sinking into water. Extend your arms in opposite directions. Kick your legs in unison. Avoid thrashing about. Don't panic. Use these simple tools to stay afloat for someone to pull you free.

5) Dress extremely warm. You could get frostbite. If you get wet, you could get hypothermia. Both aliments are debilitating, and the latter is potentially fatal.

6) When in doubt, pick a public place. Just get a spot on the rink to yourself. There is safety in numbers. People around can help you. If you by yourself, you're on your own.

There are four or five months of snow, sleet and cold. Venture out and enjoy.

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