Crampons are often more useful than an ice axe. When in doubt always take crampons as they can ensure safety on icy terrain.

Make sure your crampons are adjusted to fit your boot correctly. Bales must fit into the boot's welt. The crampon frame shouldn’t extend beyond the boot, nor should it end before reaching the boot heel’s end to avoid rubber contacting the ice instead of steel when descending face first.

Boot soles, particularly at the toe, can wear, significantly reducing the security of crampons with wire toe bails.

When properly adjusted for length, a crampon should remain attached to the boot with the straps/clips undone.

Periodically check the crampon's adjustment, the tightness of any screws, the steel's condition and the state of the binding system (which, if worn out, must be replaced).

Don't leave preventative maintenance or inspection for the base of the route, do it at home.

In some conditions huge balls of snow can build up beneath the crampons. Apart being irritating "balling up" can be quite dangerous. To prevent this, most crampons can be fitted with "anti-bot" plates: shaped bits of flexible plastic that engauge on the body of the crampon.

The use of anti-balling plates at all times is recommended.

Never heat the crampon (adjustments, sharpening, etc.), because you'll ruin the heat treatment with negative consequences for the steel's strength and durability.

Sharpen the crampon's points with a hand file and never with a bench grinder. Sharpen the front and back of the lateral points, not the sides. Front points must be sharpened on the sides. A very sharp point will be efficient on hard ice though it won't last as long.

Never leave a damp pair of crampons in a waterproof bag or in a damp cellar. Wash them under running water, air dry them and wipe with oil, silicon or grease, before putting them away.

Although the steel used is very similar to stainless steel (which is not suitable for crampons), don't be surprised if your crampons develop a few specks of rust. The rust is superficial and will disappear the first time you use them in hard snow.

You can damage your crampons by walking on rock carelessly so check them regularly. They will not last forever.

Crampons' life span depends on how they are used, on what sort of terrain and how often.