Sledding is a Great Family Fun Idea – But DOn’t Use Your Brains for Brakes!

Do…  
  Before you go sledding check the weather and physical conditions of the hill to ensure it is safe.  
  Select a hill with a gentle slope and make sure that there is plenty of room to stop.  
  Sled during daylight, and if you are out at night don’t slide unless the hill is well lit (most injuries occur in late
afternoon and evening hours).  
  Choose a sled or toboggan that is easy to control.  
  Wear a CSA approved helmet, especially children.  
  Always sit or kneel facing forward.  
  Keep your hands, arms and legs inside the sled to prevent injury.  
  Remember to tuck in strings, and long toques. Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf.  
  Wait until the path is clear before starting down the hill.  
  Accompany any child under five on the toboggan.  
  Keep an eye out for oncoming sledders and quickly get out of the way when you reach the bottom.  
  Roll to the side if you have to get off in a hurry remembering not to use your hands or feet to try and stop
the sled.  
  Climb back up the hill by keeping to the side (away from where people are coming down).

Avoid…  
  Hills that are closed, have signs that say they are unsafe or have too many obstacles (trees, bumps, etc.).  
  Building ramps and jumps. Construction of snow ramps and other obstacles is strictly prohibited on hills.  
  Hills that are too steep and too icy.  
  Inner tubes, crazy carpets, flying saucers, garbage bags and card board boxes, as they are difficult to
control.  
  Overcrowding a toboggan with too many riders.  
  Going down hill head first (no lying down).  
  Attempting to stop the toboggan with your hands and feet if you lose control.  
  Hills that are close to any roadway
  Bringing pets to the hill.