On this stormy day and in the midst of a pandemic when activities are limited, a little reminder from the Montreal Children’s Hospital: long live sledding and tobogganing, but not just anywhere.
Posted at 10:41 a.m.
For a second pandemic winter, the Trauma Center at the Montreal Children’s Hospital is reporting a high number of children and adolescents who are injured while practicing these activities. “The Trauma Center has treated more than 50 children since mid-December and many had serious injuries,” the statement read.
The most frequent accidents this year occur when the child or teenager hits a solid object while sliding, such as a pole, bench, frozen haystack or other obstacles. “Not all slopes are intended for sledding or tobogganing,” recalls the Hospital.
“Due to limited physical activity options, sledding and tobogganing have become more popular, but unfortunately we are seeing a significant increase in traumatic injuries compared to previous years,” says Debbie Friedman, director of the trauma at the Children’s. She adds that it’s important to look at the slope as a whole, because not all slopes are necessarily safe.
The hospital notes that many municipalities have responded quickly and taken effective steps to improve the safety of their slopes.
Before the pandemic, the Montreal Children’s Hospital saw an average of twenty cases per winter. This year, 67% of the injured were victims of a shock or collision with a hard object such as a wall, a fence, a tree, a table, a rock or a post; 22% fell off their toboggan and 11% collided or were hit by another person.
In all, 82% said they did not wear a helmet and 40% of the injured were under 6 years old.
According to the DD Laurie Plotnick, medical director, and Kelly Cummins, nurse in charge of the MCH’s emergency department, the children and adolescents treated suffered head injuries, fractures in various places, abdominal and pelvic injuries, eye lacerations and dental trauma.
The Hospital reminds us never to go sledding in the street, to always check the condition of the slope, to avoid icy conditions. “Wearing a helmet (ski or hockey type) is strongly recommended. High-velocity impacts can cause serious and traumatic injuries. »
More traditional sleds and toboggans, which allow better control, should be preferred and young children should always be supervised.
Doctors also say to always sit facing the slope and never stand up or face first.
If children lose control, roll to the side and do not try to stop the toboggan or sled with hands or feet.
Also, says L’Hôpital, “go sledding in broad daylight.” Many injuries occur in the late afternoon or early evening,” after school, obviously.
If these recommendations may seem exaggerated for some – sledding is an integral part of Quebec culture – remember that wearing a seat belt in the car and a helmet when skiing, which initially seemed futile, has now become more commonplace.
Final recommendation: have fun!