Today, people around the world are learning about Curling, a Winter Olympic team sport played by sliding heavy granite stones on ice towards a target area. The level of precision and complex nature of the strategic thinking required to win has lead curling to be referred to as “chess on ice.”

In playing this sport, safety should always be first at hand. Here are some reminders that you need:

Be very careful on how you walk on ice – Curling requires specially made shoes that could make you slide on ice. You will find it slippery until you get used to it. Even experienced curlers are tumbled every now and then. Just remember, relax and do not hit the ice with your head.

Curling stones must never be carried or lifted – Although a stone can be raised while delivering, its heavy weight makes it unadvisable to carry it if it is not in play. Instead, these are usually moved with the broom and only turned on edge for a wipe clean with the hand prior to delivery.

Make sure your shoes are clean – Little particles of dirt can make the ice surface dangerous. With unclean shoes, the running of the curling stones is also affected and can result to “pick-ups” where the stone turns abruptly and quickly stops.

Park stones gently after the game – Make sure that when pushing the stones to the parking area, no one is in the way.

Uninstall the hacks – When the game has ended, make sure to remove the hack from the throwing end. That is, if it is not a fixed hack.