This meme is making it’s way around facebook these days – so true for me! In all seriousness, though, there are some considerations for child-safety if you are living in the snowy, frozen areas of the world.
THIS article came across my desktop today – it raises the question if children should wear helmets when they are sledding. What?! “I went sledding without a helmet, and I turned out fine,” I can hear the protesters crying right now. I would like to think when we know better, we do better.
Actually, the CDC (HERE) and the State of New York (HERE) both have current guidelines that call for helmets if you are sledding, snowboarding, or skiing with children. A news station in Daytona has published THESE guidelines that don’t call for helmets.
- Sled down in a feet-first position.
- Make sure there are no obstacles, especially at the bottom of the hill.
- Dress your children in layers
- Make sure their hands and feet stay dry (to avoid frostbite)
- When the temperature is around freezing, make smaller children come in for a break every 15 minutes.
While these are practical tips, they don’t account for the fact that once your child sustains a head injury, the damage is permanent. If it was me and there was any chance of our children suffering a head injury, helmets would be part and parcel of our snow gear (assuming we ever spend time in the snow!!).
Another consideration for cold weather residents – safe car seat practices. Here are some starting points for you to do your research from Consumer Reports and The Car Seat Lady.