Winter Sports Safety for Kids: Sledding, Skiing, Snowboarding, And Skating

There's a blizzard outside…and school is cancelled. Kids are constantly nagging their parents about going outside to slide down the huge, snow-covered hill in the backyard. Before the parents have the chance to say “yes” or “no,” the child only puts on his jacket, no hats or mittens, and grabs the broken, old sled in the corner and rushes outside. But will the child be properly prepared for winter’s harsh elements? The answer is most likely not. What can parents and coaches do to make sure their kids are safe while playing winter sports like sledding, skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating?

The following are some tips from the Nemours Foundation on how to play it safe on the snow or ice this winter:

Stay Warm:

Dress in layers and don’t forget the hat, mittens and gloves! Your body needs to stay warm to work properly and the more layers you have, the longer you can stay outside.

Fun in the Sun:

Put on sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 when you are playing winter sports outside during the daylight hours. Sunlight reflects off all that bright white snow and ice and back onto your face.

Sledding:

* Type of sled:
o Have a sturdy sled that you can steer;
o Handholds should be easy to grab;
o The seat of the sled should be padded;
o Never use homemade sleds like garbage-can lids, plastic bags, or pool floats because these are dangerous and hard to steer; and
o Never use a sled that has any sharp, jagged edges or broken parts.
* Before you slide down the hill:
o If using one sled, don’t go over the weight limit and look at the label for the number of pounds the sled will hold;
o If there is one sled per person, make sure the person sledding before you is well out of the way before you take off; and
o Sit on the sled, don't lie down because this increases the chance of losing control and flipping over.
* What to wear:
o Wear gloves, mittens, and boots to help keep you warm and prevent you from injuring your hands and feet; and
o Wear a bike helmet to protect your head.
* Where to sled:
o Make sure the hill isn’t too steep and that it’s covered with snow, not ice;
o Avoid sledding down hills with bushes, trees, and rocks; and
o Sled only during daylight hours or in well-lit areas.

Skating:

* Only skate on approved ice that is marked by the police or recreation department as safe;
* Stay within the designated skating area
* Ice skates must fit properly;
* Skate in the same direction as the rest of the crowd;
* Watch where you're going and make sure you have lots of room to move;
* Remove gum or candy from your mouth to prevent choking oron it or have it fall out of your mouth and trip on it.
* If playing hockey, don’t step out on the ice without the proper gear — padding and the right helmet; and
* If you are not sure what gear is needed, ask an ice-hockey coach or professional at a sporting goods store.

Skiiing and Snowboarding:

* Wear equipment that fits you properly, including the boots, bindings, skis, googles, knee pads (snowboarding), and helmets;
* Take at least one skiing or snowboarding lesson before you take off because this can prevent frustration and injury before you have chance to enjoy the sport;
* Have parents or instructors choose the right trail for you based on your skill level — start off on the easier slopes and move to the harder ones later;
* Be aware of your surroundings to avoid collisions with others; and
* Take it slow, don’t rush!

Source: The Nemours Foundation.