Sledding Safety Tips for Safe Snow Fun

The Knoxville, Tennesssee WBIR TV station reported about another sledding accident today. It seems that kids need to learn about sledding safety tips more than ever. The news is reporting that this time a 14 year old is in the hospital after accidentally sliding into a moving pickup truck.

KBTX out of Dallas, Texas reports that over 55,000 visits are made annually to emergency departments across the country because sledding accidents.

Every kid wants to play in the snow. For them, it's a rare treat. It's true that the vast majority of kids escape sledding accidents without injuries. That's no consolation if your kid is one of the 55,000. To prevent problems we all need to brush up on our sledding safety tips.

The Minnesota Safety Council tells us not to use homemade sleds, sleds with sharp edges and anything that can be punctured (including inflatables and plastic bags). Another sledding safety tip is to check the overall condition of the sled.

It should go without saying that kids should sled in a safe area. This should be a place that is free of debris, trees and anything that could get in the way of a sled. I can remember one piece of advice that my grandfather gave me. He used to say that if I was about to hit something and couldn't control the sled to roll off of it. I don't know if this advice is good or bad but I can say that I never broke anything while sledding.

Speaking of which, probably the number 1 sledding safety tip is to have an adult present. Teens think they are invincible and act accordingly. Having an adult to set limits and remind kids that are mortal is a good idea. It's much better for a kid to get mad than to get hurt. It's also a good idea for the adult to have a cell phone - just in case.

Two more sledding safety tips come from Injury Free. They tell us that all kids should ride in a forward facing position. No belly flops are allowed. Kids should sit on the sleds, face forward and put their legs out in front of them. Steer with the ropes on the front of the sled.

Bicycle helmets are not just for summer. Kids should wear them when sledding. This is a sledding safety tip that is often overlooked. These can make a real difference if your child happens to be in a sledding accident.

Stay off the roadways. Don't sled down a driveway and into the roadway. This is another sledding safety tip that should go without saying. The first glance can be deceptive. Not only is the road made for cars but it can be filled with hazards that you don't notice at first. Many roads have ditches on either side. These are apparent on clear days but aren't necessary noticeable when covered with snow. Telephone poles, mailboxes, possible traffic, pot holes, rocks, bits and pieces of broken glass and more can cause a sledding accident or escalate one. It's also a misdemeanor in some areas.

These tips will help you prevent a sledding accident and help kids have more fun. If you are looking for more sledding safety tips please visit the resource section of the article.

Sources:
As noted above, WBIR, KBTX, Minnesota Safety Council, Injury Free .
Personal Experience