SPORTS
As the dizzying rush of the holiday maelstrom comes to a close, our thoughts now turn to the winter upon us and the outdoor fun that lies ahead. With each snow fall, tens of thousands of children will rush to the hills and take flight upon their sleds, racing down snowy slopes both steep and shallow. But before your child looks to break the speed of sound, there are a number of facts and safety tips you should know that will help keep the fun in sledding and the dangers shoveled off to the side of the street.
A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine* found that 220,488 patients seen in emergency departments between the years 2008 and 2017 were treated for injuries related to sledding. 70% of these patients were 19-years-old and younger. A majority of these injuries (63%) were collision injuries in which the patient collided with an object in the environment (i.e. a tree), hit the ground, or ran into another person or sled. The most frequently injured body part was the head. In fact, 82% of children treated for sledding-related injuries sustained an injury to the head. It is important to note that sled type can impact the risk of head injury. Children riding snow tubes and disks were found to have higher rates of traumatic head injury compared to those riding sleds or toboggans.
What can you do to stay safe when sledding this winter?
1. Wear a helmet. Make sure it is fitted properly. New and used winter sports helmets are available. If nothing else, a bike helmet will suffice.
2. Choose your sled wisely. Sleds with steering and braking mechanisms will allow for more control than snow tubes, flat sheets and toboggans.
3. Be aware of your sledding surroundings. Make certain there are no obstacles such as trees, rocks, light posts, walls and other sledders. Have plenty of space at the bottom of the hill to safely slow down and avoid hills that end in a street, body of water or a drop off.
4. Do not ride head first. This increases the risk of serious head injury.
5. Adult supervision is strongly recommended.
Make your winter experiences fun and memorable by following these recommendations.
*Evans, K; McAdams, R; Roberts, K; McKenzie, L. Sledding-Related Injuries Among Children and Adults Treated in US Emergency Departments From 2008 to 2017, Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine: November 2021 - Volume 31 - Issue 6 - p e460-e466. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000864
