Sledding Safety
Help your child follow these simple rules for safer sledding:
- Sit face-forward (never head-first or standing)
- Go down the hill one at a time (one person per sled)
- Keep arms and legs within the sled
- If you fall off the sled, move out of the way
- Walk up the side of the hill leaving a sled path for others
- Roll off a sled that won't stop
- Never ride a sled being pulled by a moving vehicle
Location
- Choose a hill with a manageable slope and a long path
- Avoid slopes that end in a street, parking lot, pond, or other hazards
- Make sure the hill is free of jumps, bumps and obstacles, such as trees or fences
- Never ride into a snow bank – it may have a hidden object (rock or tree stump) within it
- Choose snowy hills and avoid icy surfaces
- Sled in the daylight when visibility is good
- Know the outside temperature – it can be too cold to sled
Dress
- Wear a helmet (no specific sledding helmet is available so wear a properly fitted helmet designed for a higher impact)
- Wear sensible clothing for the winter (hat, mittens, waterproof clothes and footwear)
- Clothes should be dry (if wet, change them)
- Choose appropriate clothing to prevent strangulation
(no scarves or drawstrings)
- Avoid inflatable inner tubes or sled substitutes such as trays, cardboard boxes, or automobile hoods – they are difficult to steer, stop and secure (wooden sleds are preferred)
Adult Supervision
- A responsible adult should be present
- Children under 12 years of age should be actively watched
- Children under 5 years of age should have an adult sled with them
Contact Us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Rev. 1/09
