[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/12\/winter-fun-for-everyone\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/12\/winter-fun-for-everyone\/","headline":"Winter Safety for Young Children","name":"Winter Safety for Young Children","description":"While snow-covered grounds appear fluffy and powdery, don\u2019t let its soft look fool you.\u00a0 According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 160,000 sledding and tubing-related injuries occur annually. the most common injury seen from these accidents is head injuries. Other findings included: Kids 14 and under are most at risk for injury 15,000 of […]","datePublished":"2017-12-18","dateModified":"2020-11-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/iStock-932642298-scaled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/iStock-932642298-scaled.jpg","height":1362,"width":2048},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/12\/winter-fun-for-everyone\/","about":["Pediatrics"],"wordCount":358,"articleBody":"While snow-covered grounds appear fluffy and powdery, don\u2019t let its soft look fool you.\u00a0 According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 160,000 sledding and tubing-related injuries occur annually. the most common injury seen from these accidents is head injuries. Other findings included:Kids 14 and under are most at risk for injury15,000 of these injuries required emergency room visitsSleds can reach speeds of 25 mphSo, before your kids hit the slopes or the local park, be sure to review the following tips.Ice SkatingSkate in the same direction as the crowdAvoid darting across the iceNever skate aloneNot chew gum or eat candy while skating.Have your child wear a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads, especially while learning to skate.SleddingChildren less than 5 years of age should not sled alone.Keep young children separated from older children.Sled feet first or sitting up instead of lying down head-first to prevent head injuries.Consider having your child wear a (hockey not bicycle) helmet while sledding.Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp edges and splinters. The steering mechanism should be well lubricated.Sled slopes should be free of obstructions like trees or fences, covered in snow, not be too steep (slope of less than 30\u00ba), and end with a flat runoff.Avoid sledding in crowded areas.Snow Skiing and SnowboardingChildren should be taught to ski or snowboard by a qualified instructor in a program designed for children.Young children should always have adult supervision. Older children\u2019s need for supervision depends on their maturity and skill. If older children are not with an adult, they should always have a friend with them.All skiers and snowboarders should wear a fitted helmet.Equipment should fit the child. Skiers should wear safety bindings that are adjusted at least every year. Snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards. Hip pads are effective in preventing fractures. Eye protection or goggles should also be worn.Slopes should fit the ability and experience of the skier or snowboarder. Avoid crowded slopes. For more tips on how to help kids safe, visit www.chp.edu\/injury-prevention."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Winter Safety for Young Children","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/12\/winter-fun-for-everyone\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]