Sledding can be a fun winter activity for the whole family, but there are some basic safety tips that should be incorporated to reduce the risk of injury.
- Children should be supervised.
- Sled feet first or sitting up.
- Avoid sledding in crowded areas.
- Make sure the slopes are free of obstructions like tress and fences.
- Slopes should not be too steep and should end with a flat runoff.
- Make sure sleds are structurally sound and are free of sharp edges or splinters.
- Keep sledding activity away from motor vehicles.
- Keep young children separated from older children.
- Use steerable sleds, avoid snow disks and inner tubes.
- Consider wearing a helmet.
Hopefully these tips will make for some fun and safe sledding. Enjoy yourself out on the sledding hills.
By Luke Tremble, MD, ThedaCare Physicians-Pediatrics Appleton.
