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Sledding Safety
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 When
the snow falls, the first thought for many parents and children
is to break out the sleds. This can be an excellent family activity
that soaks up the fun of winter. Unfortunately, though, sledding
is responsible for thousands of injuries every year, particularly
in small children. To keep your little ones safe while you sled,
follow the guidelines below:
• Purchase the best sled—this can
go a long way toward preventing injuries. Instead of choosing a
toboggan or a snow disk, you should pick a sled that has runners
and some form of steering ability. This gives the rider more control
and can avoid unnecessary injuries.
• Pick the best path possible—before
you simply head down a hill, you should be aware of what’s
at the bottom of it. Does it end at a street or parking lot? Are
there trees that can provide an obstacle? These are important questions
to answer when finding the perfect sledding path. Any area that
is dense in rocks, trees, or has fences is not the best sledding
area. It is also important to try to avoid paths that are extremely
crowded with people (people can pose just as big a hazard as inanimate
objects).
• Have your child wear protective gear—when
any child under the age of 12 is sledding, they should be wearing
a helmet as well as protective pads (such as thick gloves that add
cushion to a fall). Since the snow clothes that your child is wearing
may provide a thick cover, knee pads and elbow pads aren’t
usually necessary, but there’s no harm in putting these on
your child just to be safe. The most important protective piece,
however, is a helmet. Injuries to the head can be detrimental, and
the only way to prevent them is with a helmet.
• Always supervise—while watching
your child sled cannot always prevent an injury from occurring,
you can at least offer immediate help if an accident occurs. If
you are supervising, you also eliminate the risk that your child
will try a dangerous stunt because kids tend to do that only when
their parents aren’t looking. You can also tell your child
if they have done something that could end up in injury to change
their actions for the next time. Doing this can possibly prevent
any future injuries.
By following the above guidelines, you ensure that sledding this
winter is not only fun, but safe as well. Your family will be able
to safely enjoy this winter activity for years to come.
Related information:
Best
Sledding Locations
When sledding, it is important to have the proper location.
Snow
Sled Reviews
When you consider buying any large ticket item, you tend to ask
people who have used it what they think of it before you purchase
it.
The
Best Places To Go Sledding
Once we mature and grow older, we realize why all the adults weren’t
as enthused about winter as us kids!
Snow
Games
One of the best things about winter is the snow. And one of the
best things about snow is the fun and games that it allows.
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