MANITOUWADGE—Sledding and tobogganing are two of the many outdoor winter activities that can be enjoyed by young and old. But like with all other snow - based activities, there are cautions that we all should take, especially children.
The Manitouwadge Fire Department continues to offer great safety tips for winter sports and activities and sledding and tobogganing is no exception. Here are some great tips to be aware of:
- When sledding or tobogganing, the hill should be free of trees, rocks, bumps, fences and bare spots.
- Always check to make sure there are no patches of ice on the hill.
- Make sure there is lots of room to stop at the bottom of the hill, and that there are not so many sledders on the hill as to make the activity unsafe.
- Take time to Inspect the toboggan or sled to make sure it is in good condition. Some sliding equipment can be more difficult to control.
- Be aware that inner tubes and plastic discs are not recommended for children because they are hard to steer and stop.
- Sleds that are raised on runners or with "steering wheels" go faster and are also more difficult to control, less stable and may be more likely to be associated with injury.
Young children should always be supervised by an adult. They should never toboggan alone and should not toboggan at night.
Fire officials want everyone to know that the safest position to be in while tobogganing is kneeling. Sliding on your stomach, headfirst, offers the least protection for your head. Head injuries while sledding can be serious.
A ski helmet is recommended because they are designed for use in cold weather and for similar falls and speeds. Lying flat on your back is also not recommended as this increases the risk of injuring the spine or spinal cord.
They recommend you always look out for other people on the hill. After finishing a run, move quickly to the side and walk away from the sliding path.
Many tobogganing injuries are cold-related, such as frostbite and hypothermia. Heat loss is particularly significant in children under age three because their heads account for a larger proportion of their overall body size. Children should be dressed warmly in layers.
Finally, after tobogganing, children should get out of wet clothes and boots quickly to prevent frostbite.
By keeping all of these tips and useful information in mind, sledding and tobogganing can continue to be an enjoyable outdoor winter activity.
