Snow days can be fun. Well, maybe not for parents, but kids love them. It's a great time to make a snowman and take out the sled with friends. But experts warn parents that sledding has its dangers. There are, however, ways to have fun and stay safe.
Sledding and tubing can be so much fun. Just whooshing down the hill is a rush. But doctors warn, children need to be careful. Researchers at the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, who study sledding injuries have found the most common injuries from sledding are fractures followed by cuts and bruises, and a good deal of these are head injuries, which can be very serious. Investigators also noted the majority of injuries happen during collisions, when children aren't paying attention.
So what can parents do to protect their kids? They can make sure children are always dressed properly and have them wear a helmet, much like they would wear when riding a bicycle. Also, they should stay away from snow discs and toboggans. They are a little harder to steer and sometimes get you spinning around in a way where you can't really control where you are going. If kids are young, have adults supervise them, or sled with them. Go downhill feet first and avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences, or light poles. And don't sled in the street, ever!
Sledding and tubing can be so much fun. Just whooshing down the hill is a rush. But doctors warn, children need to be careful. Researchers at the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, who study sledding injuries have found the most common injuries from sledding are fractures followed by cuts and bruises, and a good deal of these are head injuries, which can be very serious. Investigators also noted the majority of injuries happen during collisions, when children aren't paying attention.
So what can parents do to protect their kids? They can make sure children are always dressed properly and have them wear a helmet, much like they would wear when riding a bicycle. Also, they should stay away from snow discs and toboggans. They are a little harder to steer and sometimes get you spinning around in a way where you can't really control where you are going. If kids are young, have adults supervise them, or sled with them. Go downhill feet first and avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences, or light poles. And don't sled in the street, ever!
