Sledding and tobogganing are fun winter activities in this current B.C. deep freeze, but they are not always the safest.
Statistics show 2,000 Canadian children are injured every year in sledding-related accidents. That's why it's so important to take precautions before hitting the slopes.
"The first thing is to check out the hill that they're going to," says Dr. Andrew Macnab.
You want to pick a gentle slope with a good runoff and no obstacles.
"Like trees or signs or rocks that will get in the way and you're well away from potential areas of risk, like a road, railway or a river," he says.
The condition of the snow can also make a difference.
"Particular danger comes from ice, where you can't stop and will indeed accelerate if you hit it."
And choosing the right gear is essential.
"You need to be warm, but you also need to be well-protected, so a helmet makes a lot of sense when tobogganing," says Dr. Macnab.
Studies have shown wearing helmets dramatically reduces the risk of head injuries and doesn't increase the risk of neck injuries.
"The ideal helmet for tobogganing is a ski helmet," he says.
When it comes to picking a sled, the traditional toboggans are safest.
"Items such as inner tubes, cardboard boxes or plastic mats are a little more risky because of control issues once you're sliding down the hill," says Dr. Macnab.
And remember, children under 12 should always be supervised by an adult who checks out the hill and equipment.
And younger children should never be alone.
"Kids five and under should always have a responsible adult or supervised teen on the sled with them -- and the heavier person generally should be behind in order to optimize the stability," he says.
Dr. Macnab says these simple tips can help keep tobogganing on the slopes fun.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Dr. Rhonda Low
