Hooray for snow days! Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital urges children to stay safe and avoid the emergency room while enjoying winter fun

Posted Tuesday, January 24, 2012

During the most recent snowstorm, five children were admitted to Hasbro Children’s Hospital with injuries sustained while sledding. The children ranged in age from 5 to 17 years old, and sustained a number of injuries, including spinal fractures, rib fractures, internal organ injury and concussions. According to a study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 20,000 children visit an emergency room each year as a result of a sledding accident.  About one third have head injuries and approximately 800 require hospital admission.

The Injury Prevention Center and Hasbro Children’s Hospital have worked together to offer a program again this year that gives a free snow sport helmet to each child who comes in to the Hasbro Children’s Hospital emergency department following a snow sport injury. The helmets are provided through a gift to the Injury Prevention Center from the junior division of the Rhode Island State Grange. 

In addition, the Injury Prevention Center offers the following sledding safety tips:

• Parents should always inspect the sledding hill carefully. The hill should be smooth and not too steep. It should also be free of obstacles such as trees and rocks. It is very important that the hill have a long, clear run off at the end.
• Never sled toward a road or pond.
• Sleds that have some type of steering mechanism are safest. Never use a sled substitute, such as a cafeteria tray.
• Always slide feet first, one person at a time.
• Sledders should walk up the side of the hill and leave the middle open for other sledders.
• Children should dress appropriately and always wear a helmet.

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