The Redwoods Group Insurance Program for YMCAs
Risk Management Alert
Topic: Sledding Safety
Thousands of young people and adults are injured each year in sledding accidents. More than two thirds of these injuries involve boys under the
age of 14. If your YMCA is going to operate, participate in, or sponsor a sledding program, especially if your YMCA is located in an area that does
not regularly receive snow, the following tips should be followed.
| 1. |
Sled only in designated areas
Areas should be free of trees, holes, signs, fences, rocks, etc. The area should be surveyed before any significant snowfall and rechecked
immediately before any use to verify safety.
Avoid any areas that run adjacent to or exit onto roads, rivers, railroad tracks, or highways.
Sled only when there is adequate lighting. Snow causes visibility challenges because it removes contrasts, both of texture and color. Dusk is even
more problematic than normal.
Make certain that the hill has a long run-off area.
Avoid icy surfaces. Although they provide a greater thrill, they do so at greater risk of injury, as it is much more difficult for a person to control
the sled.
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| 2. |
Supervision
All children under 12 should be supervised by a responsible adult. Staff to child ratios should be 1:5 or better.
All children under 5 should be accompanied on the sled by a responsible adult.
All children should be monitored for proper safety equipment, wet clothes, frostbite, and fatigue.
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| 3. |
Sledding Style
Children should sled while facing forward and sitting or lying on their backs. Never allow children to sled head first, standing, or while facing
backwards.
Make certain that the area is clear and no children are standing in the way at the bottom of the hill before allowing another person to use the
same path.
Constantly remind children to quickly roll or move out of the way if they fall off their sled.
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| 4. |
Equipment
The YMCA should not supply equipment. Children should bring their own sleds and helmets.
Do not sled in temperatures that might pose severe weather conditions. Take into account the wind-chill factor. Monitor your local weather
station for any weather advisories.
Do not allow children to utilize carpet, inner tubes, cardboard or other materials that are not designed specifically for sledding, difficult to control.
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Please call us at 800-463-8546 if you would like to discuss any Risk Management safety tips, or visit our web site at www.redwoodsgroup.com to learn more about YMCA risk management related issues. We would appreciate any feedback you might have to offer concerning this article. Please click here to send your feedback.
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