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Keeping kids safe when sledding

As you gear up to go sledding this winter, be cautious. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 25,000 children go to the emergency room each year for sledding-related injuries. Help keep your kids safe with these tips:

Choose a safe sled

Look for the following:

A steering mechanism and brakes
No sharp edges, cracks or missing parts
A true sled, not substitutes like lunch trays, cardboard boxes or garbage can lids

Dress appropriately

Help keep your kids safe and warm with:

Multiple layers of wind- and water-resistant clothing
Helmets, which can greatly reduce the chance of head injuries
No clothing with drawstrings or scarves, which can risk strangulation. If you feel a scarf is essential, tuck the ends tightly into a coat, or opt for a neck gaiter or mask that covers the face and neck.

Find a safe sledding hill

Look for a spot:

Away from busy roads
With a long, flat area at the bottom for stopping
Free from hazards and obstacles, such as trees, fences, ponds, rocks, poles and bare spots
Covered in snow, not ice — icy slopes make it hard to steer or stop safely

Adult supervision

According to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, 71% of all sledding injuries occur without adult supervision.

Keep an eye on all kids younger than 12 and hop on the sled with any kids younger than 5.

Sled with caution

Teach your kids these sledding safety tips:

Always sled sitting up and facing forward — never headfirst, facing backward or standing
Go down the hill one at a time to avoid collisions
Never ride a sled being pulled by a moving vehicle
Keep arms and legs inside the sled at all times
Walk up the side of the hill
Don't cut off or run into others

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.