Okay, so we may not actually see any snow here in Asheville, but with the upcoming holiday season there’s a pretty good chance you or your loved ones might be traveling somewhere where there is some of that beautiful white stuff. And where there is snow, there is inevitably sledding.
Every year, thousands of people are injured while sledding, and most of these reported injuries are preventable.
First of all, most sledding-related injuries happen to children under the age of 14 (and it is not advisable to allow children under four to sled at all). Children collide with each other, or slide out into a street, parking lot, or other hazardous area. Simply providing adult supervision can help to prevent many injuries. Keep an eye on the “run out,” the length of relatively flat ground toward the end of a hill, where most injuries occur. Make sure the sledding path has a safe ending. Direct the flow away from fixed objects such as trees, rocks, and fences. Keep an eye on the number of children sledding at a time. As with many sports where there is potential for head and neck injuries, children under the age of 12 should wear a helmet. Never, ever, allow children to sled on a public street where they could crash into a parked car, or get hit by a moving one.
Second, encourage sledders to maintain proper form. Although children may be tempted to “belly flop” onto the sled, this does not provide them with adequate means to steer or control their direction. People should sit in a forward-facing position. Encourage sledders to dress appropriately, in several layers to protect from injuries as well as the elements.
Third, make sure the sled itself is safe. Sleds should have some sort of steering mechanism to help prevent collisions. When available, use sleds with brakes. Saucers and plastic toboggans that cannot be steered should be avoided. No one should sled on plastic sheets or cardboard boxes which can be pierced by sharp objects.
Following these simple suggestions can help keep you and your loved ones safe as you hit the hills this winter. In the meantime, here is a website where readers can submit suggestions for the best sledding hills in North America. Enjoy!
