Plan for safe sledding this winter

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This is the time of year when we look over the kids’ winter clothes to see who needs a new coat, snow pants or boots. We’re busy stocking up on gloves, hats and scarves because we’ve been anticipating the arrival of snow. (The Farmers’ Almanac did warn of exceptionally cold, snowy weather in Central Pennsylvania, but so far…)

With the snow comes the best of what winter has to offer. Building snowmen, having snowball fights, making snow angels and hot chocolate are just some of the high points.

As a child, sledding was always a highlight of winter. Now that I am a mom, I want to share this tradition with my boys.

Sledding is something that can be enjoyed by the whole family and will undoubtedly create great memories for us all. Of course, the worrier in me knows that there are some risks involved in sledding. It can cause injuries, some of which can be pretty serious and irreversible.

Bundle up. “Manage risks before you even go to the hill,” said Mike Schuman, Director of Safety and Risk Management for Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, which offers tubing in the winter months. This means being dressed properly. Warm clothes are essential, as is proper footwear. Remember, you’ll be on slippery surfaces, so prepare! A lot of accidents can happen from slips and falls.

I am always sure to dress my family in winter clothing that is waterproof and warm. We change into something dry if anything gets wet. This will prevent frostbite and hypothermia. (Keep in mind that children cool faster than adults!)

Be mindful. Many unnecessary accidents can also be prevented with age-appropriate adult supervision. Adults need to consider the ages of those sledding when choosing the hill and sledding equipment. “Research shows that 20,000 Emergency Room visits per year are a result of sledding,” said Helen Lehman, coordinator of Safe Kids York County.

We have had our fair share of emergency room visits, so in order to try to avoid one this winter, I will be sure to follow general sledding safety rules, such as having my young children (5 and under): Sled with an adult; always sit facing forward on the sled; be sure the hill is clear of the previous sledder before taking off down the hill; and keep arms and legs within the sled at all times (to prevent broken bones). I also plan on following these tips from Safe Kids:

Avoid wearing scarfs since they can get caught in the sled and pose a risk of strangulation.

Wear a helmet designed for winter sports. If you don’t have a winter sport helmet, at least wear the helmet that you use for biking or skateboarding. (This is really important since the most common sledding injury is head trauma.)

• Look for a sled that can steer and has brakes. (That means avoid using saucers, lunch trays or cardboard boxes as sleds.)
•  Select a hill that is not too steep and has a long flat area at the bottom for gliding to a stop.
•  Also be sure to pick a hill that doesn’t end near a street, a parking lot, a pond, trees, fences or other hazards.
• Choose a hill that is snowy rather than icy.

Safe Kids also suggests going down the hill one at a time, walking up the side of the hill to leave the middle for other sledders and rolling off of a sled if you are on one that cannot stop.

I’ll be honest. Hearing that it is suggested that children wear helmets while sledding had me a bit skeptical. I mean, we didn’t wear helmets to sled when we were young. But we didn’t wear helmets while riding a bike either, and that is now standard.

With time comes knowledge and new equipment. Helmets are not an inconvenience and can be comfortable and warm, so why not protect yourself and your kids? Look around at the environment you are sledding in and always err on the side of safety!

Before we get a decent snowfall this winter and you head out to the hill to go sledding, please take time to think about these tips. Talk about them with your family. Stay safe, stay warm and have fun!
Megan Shaffer is a freelance writer and mother of three from Lebanon.