After our unseasonably early snow in the North East this year, these new findings will definitely be of interest to Aunties who may already be sledding with their nieces and nephews. New research shows that 30 percent of children hospitalized for sledding accidents and injuries suffered significant head injuries,10 percent of which had permanent disabilities as a result.

The study was released on Saturday, October 15, at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in Boston. 52 children were studied: 63.5 percent of sledding accidents happened when children crashed into a tree, and 37 percent of those children suffered head injuries. For this reason, researchers encourage the use of helmets and other protective gear when sledding.

As the weather gets colder, Auntie, consider wearing your own helmet too when you take your nieces and nephews out sledding, as they’ll want to be just like you and will then wear their own.  Try to take them to nice, open hills where they are less likely to crash into trees, and keep a close watch over them. Or just hop on the sled with them. And be safe!


Published: November 2, 2011