The current New England wintertime weather may be reasonable for
now but snow is inevitable. Once it arrives children often spend their
playtime sledding. Parents need to be reminded of the inherent dangers
with this seemingly tame pastime.
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Always survey the sledding area for hazards such as trees,
benches, streets, ponds, or excessive elevation.
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"Snow tubes" require extra care because they are
not well controlled.
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Children under 4 years of age should not sled
unsupervised. The steepness of the hill should dictate whether or not
older children may sled alone.
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Consider protecting heads with a helmet, but that should not
be an excuse for recklessness.
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Teach children never to sled alone. A partner can get
help is one is injured.
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Avoid crowded hills and therefore crashes with other sleds.
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Do not sled after dusk or without proper lighting.
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Do not attempt jumps that will carry you higher than 4 feet
into the air on powdery snow. Do not attempt any jumps onto packed or
icy snow.
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Dress warmly and stay dry. Layering clothing works
best, paying close attention to hands and feet.
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Do not drink and sled (teens) for obvious reasons (increase
risk of injury to themselves or others).
