Winter

Winter Safety Tips

Simple Rules for Safer Winter Sports

Sledding

Know your child's sledding abilities and help your child remember to:

Sit face-forward (never head first or standing)
Go down the hill one at a time, one person per sled
Roll off a sled that won't stop
Never ride a sled being pulled by a moving vehicle
Avoid inflatable inner tubes or sled substitutes such as trays, cardboard boxes, or automobile hoods – they are hard to steer, stop, and secure; steerable, wooden sleds are preferred

Find a safe spot to sled:

Choose a hill with a manageable slope and a long path
Avoid slopes that end in a street, parking lot, pond or other hazards
Sled in the daylight when visibility is good

As the days get colder, be sure your home heating systems keep you both warm and safe

Dress appropriately:

Wear a helmet (No specific sledding helmet is
available, so wear a properly fitted helmet designed for higher impact)
Know the outside temperature – it can be too
cold to sled

Supervise your child:

Children under 12 years of age should be actively watched
Children under 5 years of age should have an
adult sled with them

Skiing/Snowboarding

Supervise children on the slopes. Know your child's sledding abilities, and limit snowboarding to children at least 7 years old. Help your child remember to:

Take a lesson for the first time down a hill
Wear a helmet to help prevent significant head injuries
Wear wrist guards for snowboarding
Use a snowboard no higher than the child's nose

Beware of Frostbite

Wear sensible clothing for winter (hats, mittens, waterproof clothes and footwear)
Clothes should be dry. If wet, change them
Use sunscreen and lip balm on sunny days