Charles R. Ireland, D.O.

Walk-In Care Physician, Dreyer Medical Clinic (multiple sites)

Many families enjoy outdoor winter activities and enthusiastically gather sleds, tubes, and toboggans and head for nearby hills after the first few inches of snow have whitened the landscape. Unfortunately, more than 150,000 injuries occur every year from skiing, snowboarding, and sledding accidents. With all the inherent fun, fans of winter outdoor activities must still remember the issue of safety and the possibility of injury.

The injuries that occur most frequently during sledding are back or neck-related and have a variety of causes: being thrown from the sled or hitting hidden obstacles, such as rocks under the surface of the snow. Whiplash easily can occur if your head and neck are being thrown and jerked around when sliding down a hill.

Other injuries frequently seen are broken or sprained arms or wrists. Whether a person is six or sixty years old, it’s natural to try to break a fall by using the hands. This action can cause breaks and strains, and can happen while sliding down the hill or when climbing back up the hill for another run.

Head injuries are the most serious. Anyone playing outside in the winter needs to be aware of the sledding area boundaries and be cautious of rocks, trees, or any other snow-covered obstacles that could potentially be dangerous. Never try to sled or ski in areas with trees or other obstacles or in areas with which you are unfamiliar with the terrain.

Most sledding injuries stem from not being in control of the situation at hand, and many sledders lose sight of the precautions that should be taken. The number of people on one sled or toboggan should be limited. By reducing the number of people on any given sled, you can increase the amount of room available to provide a better gripping environment and a clearer view of the path ahead.

Dressing warmly and appropriately is also very important. Proper winter attire not only provides warmth to the body, it can help protect against injury as well. Winter enthusiasts must be cautious of windburn, frostbite, and exposure when out for long periods of time in bitter cold or wet snowy conditions. Dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves or mittens at all times when outside. If cold weather triggers an asthma attack, try wearing a face mask or scarf to reduce the incidence.

If you’re planning exercise away from populated areas, like cross-country skiing, take a friend or family member with you or tell someone of your plans and expected return time. If it’s sunny out, be sure to apply sunscreen to exposed skin, especially if there’s snow on the ground. You can still get sunburned in the winter, and the reflection off the snow can make it worse.

Overexposure to cold can lead to frostbite, and the risk is greater if you have circulatory problems or take certain drugs for heart conditions. Frostbite most often affects the smaller, more exposed areas of the body, such as hands, feet, nose, ears, and face. Come inside if you feel a slight painful tingling sensation anywhere, and gradually warm these areas of your body. If your skin turns red and you feel a burning sensation as it warms, circulation is returning. Seek medical care if numbness or pain remains.

Whenever you are sledding, skiing, skating, or snowboarding, take the proper precautions to keep your body safe and healthy, no matter what your age.