With snow in the forecast, plenty of kids, and kids at heart, are ready to pull out their sleds, ready for the moment where there's just enough snow for the perfect run.
But those few moments of exhilaration can end in the emergency room when kids and families don't take the right precautions. And I'm among them. Several years ago, one of my kids rammed her leg into the pole for a volleyball net during one sledding excursion. A trip to urgent care and an X-ray revealed no broken bones, but it was a painful experience for her and a scary one for all of us.
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“Over 20 thousand people every year get injured from sledding, when you hear that statistic it’s a bit surprising," said Emily Greenwald, medical director of the pediatric emergency department at Duke Health.
A recent study over roughly a 10 year period found that between 2008 and 2017, there were more than 220,000 emergency department visits across the US that are sledding-related. The overwhelming majority of those cases, 70%, are kids.
Greenwald cautioned that even certain types of sleds, such as tubular and disc types, are more susceptible to leading to concussions and more serious head injuries.
"We think it’s because, as you're spinning or you're a kid stuck in the inner tube, you can’t see over the top," she said. "You’re more likely to hit a stationary object."
UNC Health officials said emergency departments saw dozens of weather-related patients across the Triangle.
Dr. Daniel Park, the pediatric emergency department medical director at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, reported seeing children with various sledding-related injuries, including broken bones, concussions, and even some internal injuries.
"We certainly want kids (and their parents) to enjoy the snow that’s expected this weekend. But we urge everyone to be cautious when conditions become hazardous. Take things slow, don’t let your children go sledding headfirst.”
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 52,000 sledding, snow tubing and tobogganing-related injuries treated at hospital emergency rooms, doctors' offices and clinics in 2014. The total medical, legal and liability, pain and suffering, and work loss-related costs were close to $2 billion, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports.
Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio says that the most common injuries are bruises, cuts and broken bones, but head and neck injuries, in particular, are common among children ages 6 years and younger.
In Wake County, Commander of Community Outreach for EMS Staten Young said the department was aware of several sledding injuries over the weekend.
“It’s not something commonly talked about, that’s why we’re looking forward to this opportunity to reach a broader audience," Young said.
In Texas, two teens died after a sled being pulled by a Jeep Wrangler collided with a tree.
Here are 9 tips to ensure your kids' sledding experience ends in fun - not a trip to the ER. Tips come courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Nationwide Children's and Kids Health:
Only sled in places with no trees, posts, fences or other obstacles are in the sledding path. The academy also recommends avoiding hills that end in a street, drop off, parking lot, pond or other hazard.
Parents or adults must supervise children in sledding areas to make sure the sledding path is safe and there are not too many sledders on the hill at the same time or at the end of the run to avoid collisions, the academy recommends. In the case of my daughter, we thought we had steered clear of the pole, but in her excitement and because the hill was crowded with other kids, we hadn't noticed that her position had gotten closer to it - and that the hill had become really slick and fast.
Never sled head first. Everybody should sit forward. Only go down feet first.
Wear a fitted helmet. Nationwide Children's Hospital says a bike or multi-sports helmet will do the job.
Ride a sled that can be steered. They are safer than flat sheets, snow discs and toboggans, Nationwide Children's says.
Teach kids how to maneuver the sled. Show them how to use their feet to stop or turn, the hospital recommends.
Make sure kids know they can only sled with an adult present. Kids Health recommends that kids 5 and under should always sled with an adult. Kids younger than 12 should be actively watched at all times.
Dress for the weather. If you're sledding, it's cold. Aim for warm - and waterproof - winter clothing. Avoid wearing loose clothing or scarves that could present a choking risk, Kids Health suggests.
Have fun! And, once you're done, warm up with some hot drinks inside.