Skiing, Snowboarding, and Sledding Safety for Children 10-4 training 10 Slides, 4 minutes Lehigh/Hanson Region West Safety and Health

Winter Fun and Safety In California alone, almost 3,000 children are treated each year at a hospital for injuries sustained while either skiing or snowboarding. Far too many of these injuries involve a trauma to the brain (from falling or striking an object). The good news is that you, as a parent or caregiver, can play a major role in preventing skiing, snowboarding, and sledding injuries.

What protective equipment should my child wear? Children age 12 and under wear a helmet when sledding. All participants should wear helmets while skiing and snowboarding to reduce the risk of sustaining a head injury. In addition, skiers should have skis with safety bindings and snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards. Both skiers and snowboarders should wear goggles. Lehigh/Hanson Region West Safety and Health

What kind of clothes should my child wear while skiing, snowboarding, and sledding? Wearing several layers of light, loose and water-and wind-resistant clothing will ensure warmth (such as gloves and hats). Scarves should not be worn because they can become tangled or caught in a rope tow or chair lift and cause choking. Make sure your child wears appropriate footwear that provides warmth and dryness, as well as ample ankle support when skiing and snowboarding. Lehigh/Hanson Region West Safety and Health

What types of possible hazards should I be aware of? Become familiar with the location of fences, trees, rocks, open water, and patches of ice. Skiers and snowboarders should stay on marked trails that are appropriate for their skill level. Avoid potential avalanche areas, such as steep hillsides with little vegetation. Be aware of warnings about upcoming storms and severe drops in temperature to ensure safety.

Choose the Right Hill When hills get coated with snow, they may all look like great locations for sledding. But not all hills are safe. Choose yours carefully. Here are a few guidelines to follow: – Select a hill that is not too steep and has a long flat area at the bottom for you to glide to a stop. – Avoid hillsides that end near a streets, parking lots, ponds, trees, fences or other hazards. – Make sure the hill is free of obstacles such as jumps, bumps, rocks, poles, or trees before you begin sledding. – Choose hills that are snowy rather than icy. An icy slope makes for a hard landing if you fall off your sled. – Sled during the daytime, when visibility is better.

Get the Right Kind of Sled The best sleds can be steered by their riders and have brakes to slow them down. Avoid sleds that can't be steered, such as tubes, saucers, or toboggans, and never use a sled substitute like a lunch tray or cardboard box. Good sleds are relatively cheap to buy and are well worth the extra money.

Should my child take skiing or snowboarding lessons? If your child is beginning sports like skiing and snowboarding, they should take one or more lessons from a qualified instructor. This will teach them the basic skills needed. Sledders should have practice at steering and braking before being left to solo. Is this how you want to spend your holiday?

Are there any techniques that can reduce the impact of a fall? Learning how to fall safely can reduce the risk of injury. In case of a fall, children should roll over naturally, turning their heads in the direction of the roll, and try to land on the side of the body or buttocks. Tucking hands into the body during a fall, rather than sticking them out to stop momentum can prevent broken wrists and fingers. Lehigh/Hanson Region West Safety and Health

Should I supervise my child while they engage in winter sports? Young children should always be supervised by an adult. Depending on skill and maturity level, older teens may not necessarily require adult supervision, but should always ski, snowboard, or sled with a friend.