Snow is upon us again! The DC Metropolitan Area has been blanketed with snow.

Here are a few safety-pointers when you take your kids out for sledding and some snow fun:

  • Children should be supervised, and younger children should be separated from older children. Avoid sledding in overcrowded areas.
  • Make sure the area is free of trees, posts, and fences and that the slope ends in a flat, open space-not a street, a parking lot, or a pond.
  • Sled slopes should be covered in snow, not ice, and should not be too steep (slope of less than 30 degrees).
  • Teach your child to sit facing forward, using his feet to steer (never headfirst).
  • Use steerable sleds, not snow disks or inner tubes. Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp objects and splinters.
  • Don’t let kids sled on plastic sheets or other materials that could be pierced by objects on the ground.

Remember, to dress your child in layers: It will help keep them warm and dry outside.

The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions. Always be sure to check the windchill (as well as the temperature) before sending her out to play. To be on the safe side, don’t let children play outdoors if the windchill is 10F or lower.

Read More Winter Safety Guidance