Tips for Safer Sledding

February 12, 2010

With the copious amounts of snow on the ground & the Winter Olympics kicking off tonight, you may feel the urge (if you haven’t already) to dust off the sled or toboggan and hit the hills near your home.  The feeling of a cool winter breeze rushing past as you move downhill can be exhilarating, however, be careful not to let unintentional injury ruin the good times.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that annually 33,000 individuals experience an injury attributed to sledding or tobogganing.  Sledding injuries often include facial lacerations or skull fractures, whereas tobogganing injuries typically involve the lower half of the body.

To that end, here are some tips compiled by the National Safety Council to help ensure a day of safe & fun sledding.

• Be sure your equipment is in good condition.   Broken parts, sharp edges, cracks and split wood increase the chances of injury.
• Be sure to dress warm enough for the conditions.  You should wear thick gloves or mittens and protective boots to help minimize the potential for injury.
• Find a spacious, gently sloping hill that has a level run-off at the end to allow your sled to come to a stop safely.  Avoid steep hills located near roadways.
• Before taking that first run, check the slope for bare spots, holes or other obstructions hidden in the snow.  Be sure to avoid these areas or wait until conditions are better.
• Make sure the sledding path does not cross traffic and is free from hazards such as fences, large trees or rocks.
• Avoid sledding on or around frozen lakes, streams or ponds as the ice may be unstable.
• Sit or lay on your back on top of the sled with your feet pointing downhill.  Sledding head first increases the risk of head injury and should be avoided.  Wearing a helmet is encouraged.

Keep these guidelines in mind and you should have a great day of sledding rather than a long wait at the emergency room.