Sledding in winter is such fun, whether on sleds with runners, saucers, plastic toboggans or other downhill gear.
We enjoyed it when I was a child, as have my daughter and grandchildren. On our farm, we had sledding parties, with friends sliding down the hill in one of our fields. Then we came into the house for hot chocolate and cookies.
Sledding fun image: sxc.hu
My son-in-law made a path on a hill in our back yard when the grandchildren were younger. They and their cousins had great fun there.
However, since injuries can occur when sledding, you’ll want to put some safety measures in place. Discuss these with your youngsters so they’re aware, too, that one can get seriously hurt.
- Children should be supervised by a responsible adult while they’re sledding.
- Dressing warmly is imperative, wearing well insulated coats and snow pants. Also, think gloves or mittens and hats covering one’s ears are important. If it’s very cold or windy, a face mask is a good idea, too.
- Wear good boots that will protect your feet against frostbite. When I was young, our boots weren’t so well insulated, so I did get my toes nipped with cold and suffered for it years after.
- Wearing a helmet is a good safety measure. Although we never though about helmets when I was young…they really didn’t exist…they have become important for safety nowadays.
- Sit or lay properly on the sled…with your feet pointing downhill. If you slide head first, you have more likelihood of head injuries, even with a helmet on.
- Go sledding only in safe areas that are designated for this sport.
- Be aware of traffic hazards. So don’t slide on paths that cross traffic or go near roads. Also, you want the sledding path to be free from items such as trees, rocks, poles, fences, sheds,picnic tables, or vehicles.
- Stay away from frozen lakes, streams or ponds when sledding. The ice may not be solid there unless it’s been well tested for holding the weight of heavy objects.
- It’s best not to construct and use jumps or ramps for sledding.
- Sledding after dark in an unlighted area can pose safety problems.
These are just a few of the safety tips for sledding. Check out various web sites for more sledding safety.
- GORP’s Sledding Safety Tips
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Safety Tips
- AAOS Sledding Safety
(What’s wrong with the sledder in the above photo, according to safe sledding guidelines? Not wearing a helmet.)
Post from: Blisstree