Sledding and tubing can be a great way to enjoy winter weather. The joy of speeding down the hill can make it easy to forget that these activities can also lead to injuries. Taking a few safety measures can help keep you and your kids safe on the hills this winter. Sledding Injury Facts
Injuries often occur when the sled hits a stationary object or when the child falls off the sled. Bruises, cuts and broken bones are the most common injuries. Head and neck injuries are common among children 6 years old and younger.
Getting Ready to Sled
Make sure children are dressed warmly and that they are wearing gloves and boots. Always wear a helmet to prevent head injuries. Properly fitted snow sport helmets, multi-sport, and bicycle helmets are good options. Sleds that can be steered and have braking features may allow for more control than flat sheets, snow discs, tubes and toboggans. Make sure to follow manufacturer guidelines for the number of passengers a sled can safely hold.
Sledding Tips
Teach children to have an adult with them when they go sledding. Avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences and light poles or on rocky hills. Always go down the hill feet first. Have only the recommended number of passengers on a sled at one time. Do not sled in the street or on a highway. Never ride a sled being pulled by a car, ATV, snowmobile or other motorized vehicle. Avoid sledding on driveways, hills, or slopes that end in a street, drop off, parking lot, river or pond. Because they are hard to steer, the best place to use a tube is in a tubing park – often found at ski resorts.
Additional Sledding Safety Resources
Sledding-related injuries among children and adults treated in US emergency departments from 2008 to 2017
PubMed Abstract - December 2020 Press Release - December 2020
Pediatric and adolescent sledding-related injuries treated in US emergency departments in 1997-2007
PubMed Abstract - August 2010 Press Release - August 2010
Sledding and tubing can be a great way to enjoy winter weather. The joy of speeding down the hill can make it easy to forget that these activities can also lead to injuries. Taking a few safety measures can help keep you and your kids safe on the hills this winter. Sledding Injury Facts
Injuries often occur when the sled hits a stationary object or when the child falls off the sled. Bruises, cuts and broken bones are the most common injuries. Head and neck injuries are common among children 6 years old and younger.
Getting Ready to Sled
Make sure children are dressed warmly and that they are wearing gloves and boots. Always wear a helmet to prevent head injuries. Properly fitted snow sport helmets, multi-sport, and bicycle helmets are good options. Sleds that can be steered and have braking features may allow for more control than flat sheets, snow discs, tubes and toboggans. Make sure to follow manufacturer guidelines for the number of passengers a sled can safely hold.
Sledding Tips
Teach children to have an adult with them when they go sledding. Avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences and light poles or on rocky hills. Always go down the hill feet first. Have only the recommended number of passengers on a sled at one time. Do not sled in the street or on a highway. Never ride a sled being pulled by a car, ATV, snowmobile or other motorized vehicle. Avoid sledding on driveways, hills, or slopes that end in a street, drop off, parking lot, river or pond. Because they are hard to steer, the best place to use a tube is in a tubing park – often found at ski resorts.
Additional Sledding Safety Resources
Sledding-related injuries among children and adults treated in US emergency departments from 2008 to 2017
PubMed Abstract - December 2020 Press Release - December 2020
Pediatric and adolescent sledding-related injuries treated in US emergency departments in 1997-2007
PubMed Abstract - August 2010 Press Release - August 2010
Sledding and tubing can be a great way to enjoy winter weather. The joy of speeding down the hill can make it easy to forget that these activities can also lead to injuries. Taking a few safety measures can help keep you and your kids safe on the hills this winter. Sledding Injury Facts
Injuries often occur when the sled hits a stationary object or when the child falls off the sled. Bruises, cuts and broken bones are the most common injuries. Head and neck injuries are common among children 6 years old and younger.
Getting Ready to Sled
Make sure children are dressed warmly and that they are wearing gloves and boots. Always wear a helmet to prevent head injuries. Properly fitted snow sport helmets, multi-sport, and bicycle helmets are good options. Sleds that can be steered and have braking features may allow for more control than flat sheets, snow discs, tubes and toboggans. Make sure to follow manufacturer guidelines for the number of passengers a sled can safely hold.
Sledding Tips
Teach children to have an adult with them when they go sledding. Avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences and light poles or on rocky hills. Always go down the hill feet first. Have only the recommended number of passengers on a sled at one time. Do not sled in the street or on a highway. Never ride a sled being pulled by a car, ATV, snowmobile or other motorized vehicle. Avoid sledding on driveways, hills, or slopes that end in a street, drop off, parking lot, river or pond. Because they are hard to steer, the best place to use a tube is in a tubing park – often found at ski resorts.
Additional Sledding Safety Resources
Sledding-related injuries among children and adults treated in US emergency departments from 2008 to 2017
PubMed Abstract - December 2020 Press Release - December 2020
Pediatric and adolescent sledding-related injuries treated in US emergency departments in 1997-2007
PubMed Abstract - August 2010 Press Release - August 2010
Sledding and tubing can be a great way to enjoy winter weather. The joy of speeding down the hill can make it easy to forget that these activities can also lead to injuries. Taking a few safety measures can help keep you and your kids safe on the hills this winter.
Sledding Injury Facts
- Injuries often occur when the sled hits a stationary object or when the child falls off the sled.
- Bruises, cuts and broken bones are the most common injuries.
- Head and neck injuries are common among children 6 years old and younger.
Getting Ready to Sled
- Make sure children are dressed warmly and that they are wearing gloves and boots.
- Always wear a helmet to prevent head injuries. Properly fitted snow sport helmets, multi-sport, and bicycle helmets are good options.
- Sleds that can be steered and have braking features may allow for more control than flat sheets, snow discs, tubes and toboggans.
- Make sure to follow manufacturer guidelines for the number of passengers a sled can safely hold.
Sledding Tips
- Teach children to have an adult with them when they go sledding.
- Avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences and light poles or on rocky hills.
- Always go down the hill feet first.
- Have only the recommended number of passengers on a sled at one time.
- Do not sled in the street or on a highway.
- Never ride a sled being pulled by a car, ATV, snowmobile or other motorized vehicle.
- Avoid sledding on driveways, hills, or slopes that end in a street, drop off, parking lot, river or pond.
- Because they are hard to steer, the best place to use a tube is in a tubing park – often found at ski resorts.
Additional Sledding Safety Resources
Sledding-related injuries among children and adults treated in US emergency departments from 2008 to 2017
PubMed Abstract - December 2020
Press Release - December 2020
Pediatric and adolescent sledding-related injuries treated in US emergency departments in 1997-2007
PubMed Abstract - August 2010
Press Release - August 2010
PubMed Abstract - December 2020
Press Release - December 2020
PubMed Abstract - August 2010
Press Release - August 2010
