Tobogganing & Sledding Safety

When you head for the hills this winter… Plan-it Safe.

Winter recreational activities are plentiful in the Nation's Capital. Popular winter activities include sledding and tobogganing. Unfortunately, every year hundreds of people are injured and many require medical attention.

Children between the ages of five and nine, account for 40 per cent of all sledding related injuries in Canada. Over 20 per cent of these injuries involve concussions, internal injuries or broken bones. (Statistics: Canadian Hospital's Injury Reporting Prevention Program). Most injuries are caused by colliding with an object (e.g., trees/rocks/signs) or from being thrown from the sled.

While we want to encourage people to continue with outdoor activities and having fun, they need to realize that potential dangers do exist. By planning-it safe, everyone can enjoy the benefits and limit the risks. So remember,

“Don’t Use Your Brains for Brakes!”

Do…

• Before you go sledding check the weather and physical conditions of the hill to ensure it is safe.
• Select a hill with a gentle slop and make sure that there is plenty of room to stop.
• Sled during daylight, and if you are out at night don’t slide unless the hill is well lit (most injuries occur in late afternoon and evening hours).
• Choose a sled or toboggan that is easy to control.
• Wear a CSA approved helmet, especially children.
• Always sit or kneel facing forward.
• Keep your hands, arms and legs inside the sled to prevent injury.
• Remember to tuck in strings, and long toques. Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf.
• Wait until the path is clear before starting down the hill.
• Accompany any child under five on the toboggan.
• Keep an eye out for oncoming sledders and quickly get out of the way when you reach the bottom.
• Roll to the side if you have to get off in a hurry remembering not to use your hands or feet to try and stop the sled.
• Climb back up the hill by keeping to the side (away from where people are coming down).

Avoid…

• Hills that are closed, have signs that say they are unsafe or have too many obstacles (trees, bumps, etc.).
• Building ramps and jumps. Construction of snow ramps and other obstacles is strictly prohibited on hills.
• Hills that are too steep and too icy.
• Inner tubes, crazy carpets, flying saucers, garbage bags and card board boxes, as they are difficult to control.
• Overcrowding a toboggan with too many riders.
• Going down hill head first (no lying down).
• Attempting to stop the toboggan with your hands and feet if you lose control.
• Bringing pets to the hill.

Call 3-1-1 to report dangerous conditions.

Call 9-1-1 for an emergency.