facts on…
Sledding and Tobogganing
A guide
for those who
work with
families
High speeds and icy conditions can lead to head or brain injuries
while sledding. It is important to be safe while sledding so the
whole family can enjoy this fun form of winter exercise.
What’s the difference between a head and brain injury?
HEAD INJURY
VS
BRAIN INJURY
• May not cause damage to the brain.
• Caused by hit or blow to the head,
something piercing the skull, or a fall or
impact to the body.
• Includes injury to the scalp or skull, such as
a cut or bruise
• Caused by a quick movement of the brain
inside the skull.
• Caused by a hit or blow to the head.
• Disturbs normal brain function.
Child Safety Link would like to share the following tips
to keep your children safe while sledding or tobogganing:
•Choose a properly fitting hockey helmet to protect your child’s head while sledding or tobogganing.
Hockey helmets are recommended because they are designed to protect against multiple impacts on
icy surfaces.
•Going down a hill head first can be dangerous. If a collision occurs with an object or another child, it
could result in a head or neck injury. Children should always sled feet first.
•Teach children to sled down the middle of the hill and walk up the side of the hill once they reach the
bottom.
•Make sure hills are free of rocks, fences, poles, and trees.
•Make sure hills are a safe distance away from any lakes, roads, or parking lots.
For more information on children’s injury prevention
topics, visit www.childsafetylink.ca
or call 1-866-288-1388 (toll-free in the Maritimes)
January 2014
1
facts on…
Sledding and Tobogganing
A guide
for those who
work with
families
Is it too cold to play outside?
•Children should be kept inside if the temperature dips below -25 degrees celcius,
regardless of wind chill or with wind chill below -28 degrees celcius, regardless of
temperature.
•At -28 degrees celcius, exposed skin can freeze in minutes.
•Frostbite occurs when the skin becomes frozen generally at temperatures of -4 degrees
celcius or below.
•Frostbite most commonly affects the hands, feet and face.
Dress for the weather
•Hats should be warm, close fitting and cover the earlobes.
•Mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves.
•Always dress in loose layers with a water-resistant outer layer.
•Wear bright-coloured clothing to be easily seen.
•Boots should be dry and not too tight.
•Socks – one pair of socks, wool or wool blend is best. Cotton socks provide little to no
insulation when wet.
•Remove drawstrings, cords and scarves. These can be strangulation hazards. Instead,
choose tubular neck warmers (without loose ends).
•Change out of wet clothes quickly.
For more information on children’s injury prevention
topics, visit www.childsafetylink.ca
or call 1-866-288-1388 (toll-free in the Maritimes)
January 2014
2