Trauma Experts Warn Against Serious Winter Injury

Ann Arbor, MI (AHN) - Serious injury can happen quickly if proper precaution is not used during winter sports, pediatric trauma experts at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital say.

"We see a startling number of injuries among children, from sledding accidents to snowmobile crashes and beyond," says Amy Teddy, manager of the pediatric injury prevention program at Mott.

Experts advice that helmets should be worn when snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling and skiing, especially by children under the age of 12. More than 70,000 head injuries occur from sledding and other similar activities each year, according to a study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Dressing in layers can prevent hyperthermia, and even protect against superficial cuts and scrapes. If snowmobiling, make sure that scarves and any loose fabric are tucked in.

If the child is old enough and the parent is not around to supervise, make sure they have a companion.

Ice is dangerous when walking, sledding, snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding.

Never pull a child in a sled while driving a snowmobile or other motorized vehicles. Use only sleds that are may be steered, and never head down a slope head first.