SAFE SLEDDING TIPS

The old winter favorite, sledding, can be a lot of fun if sledders use common sense and a little precaution to keep everyone safe. Here are some tips:

• Wear warm, layered clothing to protect from cold-related injuries such as frostbite.
• Make sure your sled is in good condition.
• Children should always be supervised by an adult.
• Children under 12 should wear a helmet.
• Sitting forward is safest. Avoid facing head-first on your belly or going backwards.
• Sleds that can steer are safer than discs or flat sheets.
• Do not sled on plastic sheets that can be pierced by sharp objects.
• Sled in well-lit areas.
• Sled on hills that don't have objects such as fences or trees. Check for bare spots and holes that might cause collisions.
• Do not sled on or near frozen bodies of water - the ice may crack.
• Teach children to roll off of a sled that is out of control.