Preventing Concussions And Other Injuries During Winter Sports

The blizzard of last week was definitely an added gift for the kids – they absolutely loved it. Being a warm weather girl I was less than thrilled but it was fun playing with the kids outside and sledding. My daughter swore to me she’d die of embarrassment when I forced her to wear a helmet when she was sledding in town. True, I’m not the most popular mom when I impose these rules but I’ve seen too many accidents and spoken with far too many ER docs to not take this precaution. Concussions are more prevalent with winter sports than most parents realize. According to the National SAFE Kids Campaign, hospital emergency rooms treat about 14,900 children ages five to 14 for sledding injuries each year, a majority of which are head injuries. Skiing is one of the leading causes for non-team sport concussions every year. In 1997, there were approximately 17,500 head injuries due to skiing. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that over 50% of the injuries to kids could be prevented with the use of a ski helmet. Unfortunately only about 46% of people now wear helmets when skiing.

Here are some tips to keep your kids safe while enjoying winter sports:

• No more than one person per sled.
• Never go down head first and keep arms and legs inside at all times.
• Be mindful of who is around you – make sure you have a clear path.
• Use proper sledding equipment only. Do not use homemade sleds!
• Ski responsibly. Stay on trails that are appropriate for your ability
• Make sure any ski equipment is fitted for you and that the binding are adjusted correctly.
• Ski with a two-way radio or cell phone in case of emergencies.
• Ask the ski resort about their emergency plans. I learned the hard way when my then eight year-old got lost several years ago that the mountain we were at had no PA system.
• Supervise, supervise, supervise!!!

Even if you keep as close an eye on your child as possible, there is always the possibility of injury. If your child is having headaches, nausea, dizziness or nervousness you should contact your pediatrician immediately.

Bottom line: Teach your kids to be responsible when engaging in winter outdoor activities.
 

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