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As You Head For The Hill: Sledding Advice From Children's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBFO8xjSZo4

I don't even want to think about the kinds of sledding injuries that the trauma doctors at Children's Hospital Boston see. I don't want to picture them. Let's just assume that they know what they're talking about when they beg parents to take some basic precautions as they head to the hill with their children on crusty, white evenings like this one.

This new video featuring Dr. David Mooney, director of the trauma program at Children's, breaks their wisdom down neatly into six S's:
Slope — watch out for obstacles
Snow — Not too icy
Sled — should be steerable
Sun — is best, poor visibility increases risk
Sit — the safest position
Snowsuit — hypothermia begins with bad judgment

Helmets of the type used for skiing are recommended, but not as important as these other six, Dr. Mooney said. My own family is just back from the hill with tales of some big kids who showed up with heavy snowboards and almost plowed into several little kids. Maybe we need a seventh S: Sanity.

This program aired on January 12, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

Headshot of Carey Goldberg

Carey Goldberg Editor, CommonHealth
Carey Goldberg is the editor of WBUR's CommonHealth section.

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