Sledding Safety Tips: How to Keep Your Kids (and Yourself) Safe This Winter

As the snow starts to fall and winter sets in, it’s time to pull out the sleds. Sledding is a favorite winter pastime among kids (and often their parents), especially during “snow days” when school is out. However, sledding can also be a breeding ground for injuries; an estimated 20,000 people each year are treated for sledding accidents in emergency rooms across the U.S., most under the age of 19. Some of the resulting injuries can be quite serious. Before turning your kids loose on local hillsides (or joining in if you’re a kid at heart), here are some preventative measures to reduce the risks to life and limb.

Don’t Leave the Kids Unattended

Parents are often tempted to let their kids take off with the sleds, or drop them off at a hillside, to get them out of the house on snow days. However, this can be dangerous. Young children (especially those under age 10) should always be supervised on the slopes to ensure that they stay off of icy or overly steep hills, wear appropriate clothing and follow safe sledding practices.

Check Out the Conditions

Before heading out on a sledding adventure, it’s important to check out the conditions of the slope or hill you plan on using. Make sure there are no objects like rocks, stumps, trees, or fences blocking your path that could cause an accident. Additionally, note any icy patches, as these can be especially dangerous for sledders. If possible, try to find a hill or slope with plenty of snow coverage. Avoid any spots that look particularly slippery or wet. Finally, always ensure the slope ends in a flat, open area with plenty of room to stop without colliding with something.

Dress Appropriately

It’s also vital to dress appropriately when going sledding. For starters, ensure all participants wear boots with good traction that won’t slip off easily (ski boots are ideal). Additionally, gloves and hats are essential for keeping hands and ears warm during long days outside in cold weather conditions. When kids are having fun and not paying attention, exposed skin could be subject to frostbite.

Always Have Sledders Wear Helmets

Studies of sledding injuries have shown that as many as 82 percent of children in sledding accidents suffer some head injury. In severe cases, head injuries can result in permanent disability or even death. Like skiing or bicycling, a sturdy helmet can considerably reduce these risks. Also–and this is important–never let a child sled downhill head-first. Have them go down feet first, either sitting or lying on their back.

Practice Good Sledding Etiquette

Most sledding injuries occur from collisions–including collisions with other sledders. When visiting a local sledding hill or slope with your family, be sure to practice good sledding etiquette. Follow a few simple rules:

Only one person should ride at a time
Avoid crossing other people’s paths
Wait until someone has reached the bottom before starting your ride
When you reach the bottom, get out of the way to make room for others and avoid collisions
Don’t go too fast
Be aware of other people who may not yet have seen you

Sledding can be fun but never entirely without risk–so practice these safety tips to ensure you and the kids stay safe. If an injury accident occurs, especially due to someone else’s negligence, always consult with experienced Colorado accident attorneys to get help receiving compensation for your injuries. Call our offices today to schedule a consultation with a Colorado personal injury lawyer.

Sledding can be fun but never entirely without risk. Practice these safety tips to ensure you and the kids stay safe. If an injury accident occurs, especially due to someone else’s negligence, always consult with experienced Colorado accident attorneys to get help receiving compensation for your injuries. Call our offices today to schedule a consultation with a Colorado personal injury lawyer.