Sledding is a fun activity for the kids to do in the winter. Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind for kids going sledding this winter.
Wear A Helmet
A helmet should always be worn when sledding. It is important to protect the head with proper support. A study found that sleds slide down hills on an average of 19 miles per hour. If a crash were to happen, your child’s head will be protected and safe.
Check Your Surroundings
You will want to make sure that the area that the children are sledding in is free of any obstacles. These can be trees, bushes, fences, rocks, and any kind of brush. It is also important not to sled near any lakes or ponds. Another thing to make sure of is where the sled will stop. It should not be near any streets.
Always Sled Feet First
While it may seem like a tempting and fun idea, it is important to keep in mind that when you sled down a hill foot first, this lessens the possibility of injuries to the head. Not only that, it makes the sled a lot easier to steer when you can see where you are going.
Steering
Make sure that your child has a sled that they can steer. Any other items like a plastic disc or an inner tube do not give any kind of steering options, putting them more at risk for crashes.
One At A Time
If your child is going sledding with a group of children, it is best that they all do not go down the hill all at once. Otherwise, collisions with other sledders may occur which could lead to injury.
Find A Good Hill
When you are on the lookout for a good hill for sledding, make sure that it is not too steep nor too icy. You also want to make sure that at the bottom it is long and flat so that there is ample room for slowing the sled down to a stop.
Always Supervise
It is necessary to supervise children when they are sledding, especially children who are age 12 and under. If a child is five years or younger, then an adult should be on the sled with them so that they can control it.
No Tricks
Absolutely no tricks should be attempted while sledding down a hill. Building a jump out of snow is also not recommended. Sleds should also not be pulled by any kind of vehicle or ATV.
Keep Warm
Injury can also occur if children are not properly outfitted for sledding out in the cold weather. They can easily get frostbite if they do not have proper gloves or mittens, socks, and boots to keep them nice, warm, and dry.
Sledding can be a fun outdoor winter activity, as long as the proper precautions are taken.
Sources: Kids Health, Nationwide Childrens, State Farm
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