Stay Safe while Sledding This Winter
(CNN) — Snow days can be fun. Well, maybe not for parents, but kids love them.
It’s a great time to make a snowman and take out the sled with friends, but experts warn parents that sledding has its dangers, but there are ways to have fun and stay safe.
Researchers at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, who study sledding injuries have found the most common injuries from sledding are fractures followed by cuts and bruises.
“and a good deal of these are head injuries, which can be very serious,” says Lara McKenzie from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Investigators also noted the majority of injuries happen during collisions, when children aren’t paying attention.
So what can parents do to protect their kids?
- Make sure children are dressed properly
- Have them wear a helmet, much like they would wear when riding a bike.
- Stay away from snow discs and toboggans
McKenzie adds, “They are a little harder to steer and sometimes get you spinning around in a way you can’t really control where you are going.”
If kids are young, have adults supervise them, or sled with them
Go downhill feet first and avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences or light poles, and don’t sled in the street – ever.