FCFRD News Blog : Sledding Safety: Tips For A Safe And Fun Ride

Vienna VA

04 January, 2022

11:18 AM

Description

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog: January 4, 2022 Sledding became a fun winter family tradition. Each year children are eagerly awaiting snowy days so they can go outside to build a snowman and find a perfect hill for sledding. It is often easy to forget that the fun of speeding down the hill can lead to serious injuries. Taking a few safety measures can help keep you and your kids safe on the hills this winter. Getting Ready •Wear waterproof winter clothes such as hats, gloves or mittens, snow pants, winter jacket, snow boots. Change into something dry if the clothes get wet. •Avoid wearing scarves or any clothing that can get caught in a sled and pose a risk of strangulation. •Wear helmets to protect your head from injuries. Finding Safe Location •Choose hills that are snowy rather than icy. Hill should not be too steep and should have a long flat area at the bottom to glide to a stop. •Make sure the hill is free of obstacles such as rocks, bumps, wholes, trees, poles etc. •Avoid sledding in areas that lead to or near parking lots, driveways, sources of water (pond, river, and lake), fences, trees, light poles, playground equipment, and rocky hills. •Do not sled in crowded areas. Having Appropriate Equipment •Pick your sled: Sleds that can be steered and have braking features may allow for better control and safer ride. Follow manufacturer instructions for the number of passengers a sled can safely hold. •Inspect your sled: Before each ride inspect your slide for any damages. Make sure all equipment is in good condition, free of sharp edges and cracks. Follow safety rules when using sled •Use the proper sledding position. Always go down the hill face-forward. NEVER sled head-first. Sledding head- first increases the risk of serious injury. •Only ride the sled while you are sitting or laying down. •If the sled is going too fast or about to crash into something, carefully roll off the sled to avoid collision.  •Walk up the side of the hill to ensure that you are not in the way of other sledders.  •Sled during the day or in well-lit areas in the evening. Adult Supervision •Have responsible adult close by to check the environment for any hazards and to make sure kids are following safety practices when they are sledding. Note: Tips gathered from a variety of sources such as: Sledding Safety — Child Injury Prevention Alliance , hopkinsallchildrens.org, kidshealth.org, www.nsc.org. This press release was produced by the FCFRD News Blog. The views expressed here are the author's own.